New Planned Parenthood Video Suggests Tissue Was Harvested From Live Fetus
A new Planned Parenthood sting video suggests tissue was harvested from a living fetus. The video, which was recorded by the Center for Medical Progress, is one of seven controversial films released by the pro-life organization.
As stated on the organization’s website, the Center for Medical Progress “is a group of citizen journalists dedicated to monitoring and reporting on medical ethics and advances.”
Most recently, the center focused their efforts on Planned Parenthood — which is a reproductive healthcare provider.
Although Planned Parenthood provides medical care and birth control, the not-for-
Many states have imposed restrictions on abortion. However, the procedure is generally legal in all 50 states.
The Center for Medical Progress is not disputing the legality of all abortions performed by Planned Parenthood. However, the organization has accused Planned Parenthood of unscrupulous and illegal practices concerning late-term abortion and the collection of fetal tissue.
In an attempt to prove their accusations, volunteers with the Center for Medical Progress conducted an undercover sting operation. Video, which was captured during the operation, was eventually published in a documentary web series titled Human Capital.
According to the filmmakers, the videos prove Planned Parenthood routinely harvests fetal tissue during late-term abortions. The organization is further accused of selling the tissue on the black market.
Although the first six films remain a point of heated controversy, the most recent may be the most disturbing.
The video, which was filmed in 2012, features an interview with licensed phlebotomist Holly O’Donnell. At the time of the sting operation, O’Donnell worked for StemExpress — which specializes in biomedical specimens.
During the interview, O’Donnell discusses an unsettling exchange, which she reportedly experienced firsthand. A description of the conversation is provided by Life News.
“The new video includes O’Donnell’s eyewitness narrative of the daily practice of fetal body parts harvesting in Planned Parenthood abortion clinics. She tells the harrowing story of harvesting an intact brain from a late-term male unborn baby whose heart was still beating after the abortion.”
As the Center for Medical Progress is a historically conservative, and pro-life, organization. The film series has drawn strong criticism from pro-choice advocates.
In response to the continued controversy, Planned Parenthood Vice President of Communications Eric Ferrero released an official statement about the video series.
“… patients sometimes want to donate tissue to scientific research that can help lead to medical breakthroughs, such as treatments and cures for serious diseases… At several of our health centers, we help patients who want to donate tissue for scientific research… with full, appropriate consent from patients and under the highest ethical and legal standards.”
In his statement, Ferrero also accuses of the Center for Medical Progress of publishing “a heavily edited” series of films in an attempt to further their own agenda.
The controversy surrounding The Planned Parenthood sting video prompted numerous investigations into the women’s health provider and the legality of their abortion procedures.
As reported by RH Reality Check, investigations conducted in Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Virginia, revealed Planned Parenthood is in compliance with current law. The results of investigations conducted in Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas are not yet complete.
As the Planned Parenthood sting video is provided by a pro-life organization, which is committed to banning abortion, it is unclear whether the footage was in fact heavily edited. However, Human Capital continues to have a strong impact on an already controversial topic.
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