The Isabel Brown Show – “NIH Bans Fetal Tissue Research — A Major Win for Life”

Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Isabel Brown (The Daily Wire)
Main Topic: The NIH’s newly announced ban on funding research using elective abortion-derived fetal tissue in the U.S., its moral and scientific implications, and the cultural fight for life.

Episode Overview

In this landmark episode, Isabel Brown unpacks a major pro-life victory: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has officially banned its funding for research using fetal tissue derived from elective abortions. Joined by quotes and clips from NIH director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and referencing pivotal moments and investigations from the past decade, Isabel places this news in the context of both scientific development and the moral struggle around the sanctity of human life. The episode explores what this policy change means, the science behind it, and the response from both mainstream media and the pro-life movement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Historic NIH Announcement

• NIH Bans Fetal Tissue Research Funding: Dr. J. Bhattacharya announced that no more taxpayer funding or research grants will be allocated for research projects using fetal tissue from elective abortions (00:00, 06:23).
• Scope of the Ban: Applies to both intramural (within NIH) and extramural (NIH-funded elsewhere) research.
• Allowed Exception: Tissue from miscarriages (spontaneous abortions) is still allowed for research if parents consent, due to certain scientific uses (e.g., lung development studies).

“We’re saying not just the intramural research, but all of the support for the NIH has had... for human fetal tissue research more broadly outside in universities, this derived from abortions is banned.”
— Dr. J. Bhattacharya (06:44)

2. Why This Matters: Science, Ethics, and Policy

• Scientific Advances Make Fetal Tissue Largely Unnecessary: Advancements, particularly in stem cell technology (e.g., induced pluripotent stem cells), have diminished the need for fetal tissue from abortions in research labs (08:47).
• Moral Clarity Restored: The move is framed as restoring dignity to human life in science—an overdue line drawn after decades of questionable ethical practices.

“There’s no scientific harm to this. We’re still gonna be able to do the science we need... while at the same time getting rid of this... use of aborted human fetal tissue, which so many people, including me, find morally abhorrent.”
— Dr. J. Bhattacharya (08:07)

• Historical Precedent & New Leadership: Credits not just Dr. Bhattacharya but also the broader Trump administration and Secretary Kennedy for “moral clarity” in leadership (12:23, 38:10).

3. Context: The Reality of Fetal Tissue Research in the U.S.

• Scale of the Issue:

  • “Every single year the NIH... funds upwards of 200+ research projects all over the country that use human fetal tissue... mostly obtained through elective abortions.” (16:12)
  • Congress and independent groups have estimated more than $500 million spent on such projects in 2019 alone, across prestigious institutions.

• How Fetal Tissue is Acquired:

  • Isabel directly quotes a congressional FAQ (2019) and reframes government language as “literally human trafficking,” where aborted babies’ remains are transported via intermediaries for research (18:22).

“Literally what they’re talking about is human trafficking, but nobody wants to call it that but that’s what it is.”
— Isabel Brown (18:35)

4. The David Daleiden Undercover Videos & Media Response

• Undercover Exposés: Cites the work of David Daleiden and the Center for Medical Progress, whose undercover videos about Planned Parenthood’s role in fetal tissue procurement sparked outrage and legal proceedings (27:42–30:30).

  • Notable Quote:

    “I might ask for a second set of forceps. Hold the body at the cervix and pull off the leg.”
    — Planned Parenthood Exec, undercover footage (27:42)

• Media & Legal Pushback:

  • Major media criticized and attempted to discredit the videos, often charging the investigative journalists rather than the abortion providers (36:32–37:54).
  • Isabel highlights the incongruity: the exposé filmmaker charged and not those selling the organs (37:54).

“Who sold you the organs? I mean, you literally cannot make this stuff up.”
— Isabel Brown (37:54)

5. Broader Cultural & Policy Impacts

• Pro-Life Movement Beyond Roe: Isabel emphasizes that the fight for life does not end with Roe v. Wade being overturned; rather, this NIH decision is the next front in restoring “the dignity and sanctity of human life” (03:45).
• Medical Student Testimonies: She shares personal stories of students feeling pressured to participate in fetal tissue research and needing to stand for their conscience (40:43).

“To say, I’m not comfortable doing harm... exploiting an innocent person’s body who did not consent to being experimented upon... we have to constantly fight for restoring human dignity.”
— Isabel Brown (42:02)

6. Isabel’s Call to Action & Looking Ahead

• Cultural Change Needed: Stresses the importance of continued activism and vigilance in holding policymakers, scientists, and the media accountable (39:02).
• March for Life: Isabel will attend the March for Life, joining the national pro-life community in celebrating this victory and preparing for ongoing work (43:19).

“Thank you Dr. J. Bhattacharya. Thank you to the NIH, thank you to the Trump administration for taking on such an exciting new position of leadership and moral clarity on this issue. And now we pick up the torch and head to the next fight.”
— Isabel Brown (43:38)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Dr. Bhattacharya on the scientific case (11:33):

  “If you look at the actual data on the use of NIH funds for this during the Biden administration, there was a sharp drop in spending on human fetal tissue research. And the reason is very simple, is because of the advances in alternatives to the human fetal tissue.”

• On public health and moral concerns (12:51):

  “If there are large numbers of people with moral systems that say... if you don’t go down this line and use research... with aborted fetal, human fetal tissue, I’m not going to... use it. Well, what good was the research if a large part of the population feels ethically bound not to participate or use the products of that research?”
  — Dr. Bhattacharya

• On media response to exposés (37:54):

  “Who sold you the organs? I mean, you literally cannot make this stuff up. The level of interference that the media runs for Planned Parenthood always has and will continue...”
  — Isabel Brown

• On the fight ahead (43:19):

  “We will be at the March for Life tomorrow... to again, courageously say that we are fostering a culture of life.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–06:22: Introduction, breaking news on DOJ and headline on the NIH ban.
• 06:23–13:54: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and Ben Shapiro clip; deep dive into the scope of the NIH policy.
• 16:12–22:51: Isabel details the scale, funding, and government language around fetal tissue research.
• 27:42–30:30: Center for Medical Progress undercover footage of Planned Parenthood executives.
• 36:32–39:02: Media/legal backlash and broader cultural commentary.
• 40:43–42:02: Personal stories from the medical/scientific community; importance of moral courage.
• 43:19–44:50: Reflection on the significance of this victory, the road ahead, and upcoming March for Life participation.

Conclusion

Isabel Brown frames the NIH’s decision as a watershed moral and scientific victory for the pro-life movement in America. She emphasizes the ongoing need for vigilance—both in advocacy and in science—as cultural battles over the value and dignity of human life continue. The episode invites listeners to celebrate, reflect, and renew their commitment to fostering a pro-life culture, while exposing the historical and systemic challenges faced along the way.