Watch CBS News

2nd Video Released Of Planned Parenthood Official Apparently Discussing Fetal Tissue Prices

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Activists on Tuesday released a second undercover video that appeared to show a Southland Planned Parenthood medical director discussing monetary compensation for buyers of fetal tissue.

The video posted to YouTube by The Center for Medical Progress shows Mary Gatter meeting with people posing as potential buyers of intact fetal specimens. Much of the conversation on the video deals with how much money the buyers should pay.

Federal law prohibits the commercial sale of fetal tissue but allows not-for-profit donation of tissue if the women who underwent abortions give their consent. Planned Parenthood contends that the payments discussed in the new video and a similar one released last week pertain to reimbursement for the costs of procuring the tissue, which is legal.

Gatter says in the video, "We're not in it for the money," while also discussing whether a payment of $100 per specimen would be adequate.

In another portion of the video, she appears to suggest that abortion procedures could be modified in some cases to get more intact fetuses. Under federal law, there should be no alteration in the timing or method of an abortion done solely for the purpose of obtaining fetal tissue.

Planned Parenthood spokesman Eric Ferrero said the source of the videos "is a group of extremists who have intimidated women and doctors for years in their agenda to ban abortion completely."

"What the video released today shows is a Planned Parenthood medical provider, who has dedicated her career to ensuring that women have access to the best health care, stating over and over again that she follows all laws and medical standards," Ferrero said. "The fact remains that there is nothing in these videos to suggest any violation of law or improper activity."

Gatter was among several women honored by Sen. Carol Liu, D-La Cañada Flintridge, last June with a "2014 Women Mean Business" award for "having exceptional abilities have contributed to the economic vitality, diversity, and quality of life of the 25th state Senate District."

A Google+ listing states Mary Gatter currently works out of the Pasadena area.

After release of the first video July 14, three congressional committees and top officials in several states said they would launch investigations of Planned Parenthood's handling of fetal tissue.

Anti-abortion groups have expressed hope that Congress might cut off federal funding that goes to Planned Parenthood for family planning and other non-abortion services.

Planned Parenthood, in a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, depicted the videos as "a campaign of corporate espionage" being orchestrated by anti-abortion activist David Daleiden of the previously little-known Center for Medical Progress. The letter said Daleiden was involved in secretly recording Planned Parenthood staff and patients at least 65 times over the past eight years, potentially yielding thousands of hours of recordings.

Daleiden, in a statement Tuesday, said Planned Parenthood's denial of engaging in the sale of fetal parts is "a desperate lie."

Planned Parenthood has staunchly defended its role in procuring fetal tissue for researchers, saying it is important work that could help develop treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Asked about the latest video, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, told reporters that "human fetal tissue research has been very important."

"I see no indication that Planned Parenthood has violated federal law," Reed said.

Anti-abortion leaders, however, have questioned the very nature of the fetal-tissue research.

"Planned Parenthood's selling of the broken bodies of unborn children is inhumane and troubling no matter how any investigation concludes," said Charmaine Yoest, president of Americans United for Life. "And if Planned Parenthood's conduct does not violate the federal law prohibiting the sale of fetal tissue and organs, then the law must be changed."

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.