State Dept. Not Sure What Happens to Fetal Body Parts After Sent to Pathologist

JEFFERSON CITY • When controversial videos alleging that Planned Parenthood sold fetal body parts hit the airwaves, Gail Vasterling asked Department of Health and Senior Services staffers whether the St. Louis facility was participating.
Staff surveys did not indicate that it had, and Planned Parenthood has denied selling any fetal tissue in Missouri. But Vasterling, the department director, has no idea if the pathology lab Planned Parenthood uses is selling fetal body parts, she said Thursday.

“I don’t believe (the department) has any role” in monitoring that contractor, Vasterling told a state Senate committee tasked with investigating Planned Parenthood’s procedures for handling fetal tissue. The committee is asking whether state dollars were used in such efforts and if any state employee had knowledge of the allegations. The department is responsible for regulating abortion clinics.

Vasterling said she thought the lab contractor disposed of the fetal tissue after examining it and sending the department a report. But, she told lawmakers, she can’t be sure.

“I don’t know where it goes after” the pathologist completes a report, Vasterling said.

(read more)