There are five basic reasons. First, it is unequivocally human in its origin and behavior. Secondly, it is living. Third, it is uniquely determined at the time of fertilization, Fourth, it is in a state of development with potential for reproduction and replication. A million and a half abortions are performed each year.
Fetal tissue has developmental potential.
In our wildest imaginings, we hope cells could be made to do whatever we commanded. If that were possible, we would have cures for diseases that currently take lives. However, little or no data supports such an optimistic outlook. Dr. William Landall, chairman of neurology at Washington University in St. Louis, reviewed the world's literature on fetal tissue transplantation in the May 1990 issue of Neurology. There is no reason to believe that this assessment will change, despite the hopes of a few research centers.