Nebraska's two largest anti-abortion political action groups want to replace all seven University of Nebraska regents who voted to support NU Medical Center brain research that uses aborted human fetal tissue, a leader of one of the groups said Wednesday.

"We believe we must hold the regents responsible for their votes," said Bob Blank, chairman of Metro Right to Life, which he said has 22,000 members.

While voting 7-0 to continue the research, the regents on Saturday also expressed support for efforts to use tissue from sources other than elective abortions. Medical Center officials have said they will seek sources of fetal tissue other than elective abortions.

Nebraska Right to Life, with a mailing list of 65,000, has joined with Metro Right to Life in opposing the seven regents, Blank said.

At a press conference in Omaha, Blank also said that the state's anti-abortion groups are talking with state senators about possible legislation next year that would stop NU Medical Center research that uses fetal cells from elective abortions.

The groups also want legislation forcing the Medical Center to sever ties with Dr. LeRoy Carhart of Bellevue, who performs abortions and provides tissue for the research.

The four regents up for re-election next year who voted to support the fetal-tissue research are Robert Allen of Hastings, Chuck Hassebrook of Walthill, Drew Miller of Papillion and Rosemary Skrupa of Omaha. Allen has said he won't seek re-election.

The two groups will seek anti-abortion candidates to oppose those four regents, Blank said.

Metro Right to Life's PAC, which endorsed Skrupa in her 1994 campaign, "has revoked its endorsement of her," he said.

Regents Nancy O'Brien of Waterloo, Don Blank of McCook and Kent Schroeder of Kearney also voted to continue the research but aren't up for re-election next year. Dr. Charles Wilson of Lincoln was absent from Saturday's meeting. Don Blank and Bob Blank are not related.

Saturday's regents' vote will serve as a "wake-up call to pro-life Nebraskans," Julie Schmit-Albin, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, said from her office in Lincoln.

Anti-abortion groups support research with sources of fetal tissue other than "aborted baby body parts" from elective abortions, Bob Blank said.

The NU Medical Center has said it will use fetal tissue from miscarriages, stillbirths and ectopic pregnancies whenever possible. Metro Right to Life doesn't oppose research, Blank said.

Dr. William Berndt, Medical Center vice chancellor, has said that there is no way to get all the necessary fetal tissue for the Medical Center's research without using material from elective abortions.

Hot Line Set Up

Metro Right to Life has established a 24-hour hot line for people to call with information on how the University of Nebraska Medical Center has conducted research using fetal tissue from elective abortions.

The number: (402) 399-9842.

"We believe there is more information out there than we have been given," said Bob Blank, Metro Right to Life chairman.

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