Minnesota's legislative auditor will review U of M's use of human fetal tissue in research

Minnesota Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles confirmed this afternoon that his office will conduct a special review of the University of Minnesota's policies and practices related to the use of fetal tissue in research.

University President Eric Kaler has defended the use of human fetal tissue in research that may have been obtained through induced abortions, including at clinics in Minnesota.

An internal review of the university's policies regarding human fetal tissue research discovered that the university did not have policies in place to "comprehensively address the disposition of fetal tissue used in research."

Noble wrote in an email that he will "proceed with a special review under the Legislative Auditor's statutory authority." The review will be start this summer, after Noble's office has a completed review of psychiatric research at the University of Minnesota.

UPDATE: Representative Matt Dean, R-Dellwood, who introduced legislation this session requesting Nobles conduct a review of the University of Minnesota's research activies involving human fetal tissue, released the following statement on Nobles' decision:

We need to make sure the [University of Minnesota] is following the law and the ethical standards of the [University of Minnesota]. We also need to get to the bottom of finding out why that's not clear right now, and find a path forward.

Picture source: Glen Stubbe, Star Tribune