The Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation of whether Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri have violated state law in the provision of abortion services.
The investigation follows the release of undercover videos showing a conversation with Planned Parenthood’s director of medical research discussing the harvesting of fetal organs after abortions. Republicans an anti-abortion groups say the videos show her discussing selling those organs.
In a release, Attorney General Chris Koster’s office says the videos, “raised questions about Planned Parenthood’s practices regarding the extraction and disposal of fetal organs and whether the clinics offer patients adequate, accurate information about these procedures.”
Koster issued a statement in that release, saying, “Regardless of whether one is pro-life or pro-choice, the questions raised by these videos require careful review. My office will investigate whether the practices described have occurred within our state and whether Missouri law has been violated.”
Koster’s office declined additional comment on the pending investigation.
Senators Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) and Mike Parson (R-Bolivar) called for the Attorney General to investigate following the release of those videos, while Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder (R) called for an investigation by the state House and Senate. Two House committees have since launched a joint investigation.
Governor Jay Nixon (D) did not join the calls for an investigation, saying, “We’ve got to focus on what matters in this state – creating a good job environment, moving the economy forward, not taking the story of the day and trying to sensationalize it,” said Nixon.
Planned Parenthood denies wrongdoing and calls the videos “highly edited.” Calls to Planned Parenthood seeking an interview on this matter have gone unreturned.
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