The Human Fetal Tissue Transplantation Research Panel was established in 1988 as an ad hoc consultant group to the Advisory Committee of to the Director of the National Institute of Health. The collection contains records related to the Panel, including meeting transcripts, briefing books, clippings, the Research Panel's final report, and other documents.

The collection consists of records related to the Biomedical Ethics Advisory Committee (BEAC). BEAC was formed in 1987 to counsel the congressional members of the national Biomedical Ethics Board on ethical issues that arise in the delivery of healthcare and biomedical research.