Families of children with cancer support human tissue research, study finds

Families of children with cancer support research using tissue samples left over after operations, a new study has found.

Contrary to reports of a public crisis of confidence in tissue-based research, a team led by the University of Leicester found that all 20 children and 59 parents they interviewed would be happy to consent to donating samples to a tissue bank for childhood cancer research. The study was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Wellcome Trust.

"These findings show that anxieties about asking families to donate tissue for research may be misplaced? said Professor Mary Dixon-Woods, one of the authors of the study published in Biosocieties.

"Media reporting has often given the impression that the public is gravely concerned about any use of tissue for research, even when the tissue is from living donors and is being removed as part of treatment. Our study shows that it is wrong to think of the public as having a single unified opinion."

As long as the right safeguards were in place, children with cancer and their parents were keen to donate material left over from operations for research because they saw it as a way of helping other people, the study reports. One mother interviewed for the study commented that generations of previous children taking part in cancer research had helped to ensure her child's survival: "without them, we might not be here now", she said.

"Research using tissue samples is vital to developing improved ways of diagnosing and treating cancer in children," said Professor Kathy Pritchard-Jones of the Institute of Cancer Research. "It is essential that unfounded claims about 'what the public thinks' do not get in the way. This study shows that healthcare staff should feel confident about approaching families to ask them to think about donating samples for research."

The study reports that, historically, research on tissue samples has always depended on public support. Historical research by Dr Duncan Wilson of the University of Manchester shows that what counted as public opinions were far more diverse than is commonly supposed.

"Using tissue samples in modern day research is just the same - it can't happen in opposition to public values", said Professor Dixon-Woods. "People are happy to donate tissue, but researchers do need to recognise the values and expectations of people who donate material." Although 26 participants in the study said they would be content for samples to be used for research without their consent, a majority (45) did wish to be asked for consent. Families in the study said they would consent to tissue banking because they trusted the staff who asked them, they felt that regulation would protect them from any untoward use of the samples, and that the samples would be used for the good of the childhood cancer community.

"It is important that everything is done to secure this trust," said Professor Pritchard-Jones. "That doesn't always mean highly bureaucratic regulation, but it does mean listening to families and being sensitive to their needs, and ensuring that any use of samples in research is ethical."

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