Wisconsin state lawmakers are considering banning the use of fetal tissue for research, and could possibly place the measure on Gov. Scott Walker’s desk in the midst of a Republican primary battle that has flared up over this issue.
Members of the Wisconsin Assembly considered a measure from Republican state Rep. Joel Kleefisch earlier this week that would bar the purchase of fetal tissue from abortions.
Laurel Patrick, a spokeswoman for Walker, said he “will work with members of the State Legislature to pass legislation to ban these practices in Wisconsin and address concerns about this organization.”
A pair of Alabama lawmakers filed a similar proposal earlier this month.
The push comes amid a national uproar following the release of a series of videos from abortion opponents showing what they say is the illegal sale of aborted fetus parts by women’s health organization Planned Parenthood.
Retired neurosurgeon and Republican candidate Ben Carson took heat Thursday after it was revealed that he had performed research using fetal tissue in 1992.