There is going to be at least one investigation of planned parenthood in Missouri.
Representatives Diane Franklin and Andrew Koenig (photos courtesy; Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)
Two state House committees will conduct a joint investigation into allegations that Planned Parenthood has sold organs from aborted fetuses for profit, which would violate state and federal law. The House says its Ways and Means Committee and its Children and Families Committee, chaired by Representatives Andrew Koenig (R-St. Louis) and Diane Franklin (R-Camdenton), respectively, will begin their investigation immediately.
Planned Parenthood has issued a statement saying the video on which the allegations are based is “heavily edited,” and is, “falsely portraying Planned Parenthood’s participation in tissue donation programs that support lifesaving scientific research.”
Planned Parenthood Federation of America president Cecile Richards says in a recorded statement, “The allegation that Planned Parenthood profits in any way from tissue donation is not true. Our donation programs … follow all laws and ethical guidelines.”
Calls to Planned Parenthood in Washington seeking an interview have so far gone unreturned.
Specific to Missouri, the statement said, “Some Planned Parenthood Affiliates help women and families who decide to donate tissue for medical research. Planned Parenthood affiliates do not participate in any such programs in Missouri.”
In the video, the organization’s director of medical research, Dr. Deborah Nucatola, tells two people posing as potential buyers of fetal organs to consider the organization’s St. Louis facility as an “untapped” supplier.
Republican lawmakers in Missouri have called on Attorney General Chris Koster (D) to investigate whether anything illegal is happening at the St. Louis facility. So far his office has not addressed the request.
Earlier story:Â Missouri Republicans want investigation of planned parenthood
