The Trump administration is ending medical research by government scientists using human fetal tissue, a victory for abortion foes and a setback for researchers, who use the tissue while trying to find cures for diseases such as HIV and childhood cancers.

Officials said Wednesday that government-funded research by universities would be allowed to continue, subject to additional scrutiny.

And the policy change would not affect privately funded research that used human fetal tissue.

Ending the use of fetal tissue by the government is a victory for anti-abortion activists, part of President Trump’s evangelical base, many of whom believe that Trump is on a mission from God.

Abortion opponents say there are alternatives to fetal tissue.

But scientific groups say that’s not so for every disease and condition.

The formerly pro-choice Trump reinvented himself as staunchly pro-life once he joined the presidential field, and has supported legislatures in conservative states that have passed restrictive abortion laws as potential challenges to Roe v. Wade.