“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” –Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)

Dear Friends:

10 weeks – brain
18 weeks – skin from upper arm, retina
16 weeks – twins (1 w/clubbed feet), brain A, brain B, eye, eye
23 weeks – skin, brain, lung, retina
24 weeks – brain, eyes, heart
32 weeks – intact head

These are notes taken from a procurement journal, recording harvested body parts from aborted babies at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center (UNM HSC). The log, which includes entrees from January 2010 through December 2015, provides a detailed and grisly account of the activities taking place at our state’s flagship university; and, up until recently, few New Mexicans knew anything about it. That was until 2015, when some of our State Legislators began asking questions about the controversial fetal tissue research program at UNM HSC and the University’s relationship with late-term abortionist Curtis Boyd.

Since that time, we have learned a lot about the questionable practices at UNM HSC. Among other things…

In 2015, our state-based ally, New Mexico Alliance for Life (NMAFL), launched its own investigation into UNM HSC. From this ongoing investigation, we learned that the UNM School of Medicine sent program fellows and residents to train at Curtis Boyd’s late-term abortion clinic, Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO), in Albuquerque. We also learned that Boyd was given volunteer faculty status by UNM, for which he received professional liability insurance coverage, provided to University employees. Meanwhile, in October, the U.S. House formed the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives to investigate abortion and fetal tissue procurement in response to the viral, undercover videos involving Planned Parenthood.

In 2016, the federal House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives released the aforementioned procurement journal, which detailed the collection of fetal body parts from SWO, and, in some cases, what the body parts were used for. Most troubling was one particular entry that requested baby brains from SWO to dissect with summer camp, high school students. The Investigative Panel, with assistance and consultation from NMAFL, also released its full report and submitted criminal referrals to New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas for investigation and prosecution.

In 2017, we learned that women obtaining abortions at SWO were misinformed on the use of their aborted babies for scientific research. In October, a New Mexico District Court Judge ruled that UNM did not have the proper consent or authorization to receive or experiment with aborted fetal parts obtained from SWO. As a result, a 2016 lawsuit filed against SWO will now go to trial. Further, in December, the U.S. Departments of Justice announced that it had sent the criminal referrals made by the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives to the FBI for review and appropriate action.

And this year, the Albuquerque Journal reported on the suspension of UNM’s lead fetal tissue researcher, Dr. Robin Ohls. According to the report, Dr. Ohls transferred fetal tissue collected from SWO to a private company in Michigan, then requested that the Michigan company reimburse the University for costs associated with preparing the fetal tissue for transport – a clear violation of the University’s policy to not sell human tissue. Incidentally, on the same day the Albuquerque Journal broke the news on Dr. Ohls’ suspension, Attorney General Balderas submitted a response letter to the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives, more than one year after receiving the criminal referrals. In spite of the Investigative Panel’s report, evidence, and recommendations, Balderas ultimately refused to prosecute and allowed the criminal complaints to expire.

Fortunately, the federal probe is ongoing, and, in the meantime, we will continue to work with our state and national allies to promote a culture of life and expose the barbaric practices of New Mexico’s abortion industry. It is safe to say that this information may have never come to light without the diligent work of a few State Legislators and NMAFL. So to them, we say “thank you” and “we are here to help.”

At Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico, our vision is a state where life is cherished – not destroyed – and we need your help to make this vision a reality! In the coming weeks and months, we will be sharing opportunities for you to engage and stand for life. When that happens, please get involved and encourage your family and friends to do the same. Together, we can make a difference! Together, we can turn New Mexico around!

God bless you and thank you for your support,

Vince Torres
President and Executive Director