The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center is investigating the transfer of fetal tissue from a faculty member to a private medical research company in Michigan.

Health Sciences Center spokeswoman Alex Sandoval confirmed the internal investigation Friday after it was first reported by the Albuquerque Journal.

Sandoval said the inquiry began in the fall. She declined to provide details, citing a need to protect the integrity of the process.

According to documents obtained by the newspaper, officials suspended Robin Ohls' research duties in October after learning she had acquired fetal tissue for months from the Southwestern Women's Options abortion clinic and transferred it to Zietchick Research Institute LLC.

An internal memo indicates staff had concerns about possibly infringing on the university's policy to not buy or sell human tissue.