Human Tissue: Ethical and Legal Issues
The Human Tissue Act 2004
The Human Tissue Act received Royal Assent in November 2004 after months of debate in the House of Lords. Many of the final amendments were a response to the concerns of the geneticists, researchers and academics regarding the restrictions on use of human tissue. Changes included the removal of requirement for consent where material from living persons is used, or DNA analysed, for all types of education and training, including that relating to research. The new Human Tissue Authority (HTA) will be able to ‘deem consent’ for material to be used and analysed for the benefit of another person, where the donor has not responded to reasonable requests for consent (provided that there is no reason to believe that the donor has died or is incompetent).
For more information see:
The Human Tissue Act 2004
The Human Tissue Authority
During discussions about the Human Tissue Bill, the Council wrote to MPs calling for new legislation on Human Tissue to be clear and coherent. The Council supported the introduction of the Human Tissue Bill in principle and welcomed the emphasis given to consent as the fundamental principle guiding the lawful use of human tissue.
Download the Council's response
See also the press release.
Last Updated Tue, 8 August 2006