BMA comments on the Human Tissue Bill

Commenting on the Human Tissue Bill, to be debated in the House of Commons on Monday 28 June, the BMA strongly welcomes many of the changes that are being proposed.

The BMA is very pleased that the Bill has been amended as follows:

• It will now be possible to use human tissue samples (for example urine, blood and cervical cytology) for education and training without the need for explicit consent from the individual. The BMA hopes that proposed Human Tissue Authority (HTA) will produce information so that patients are aware how their samples might be used.

• The BMA would also like the HTA to produce information to let patients know that their leftover samples might be used anonymously for approved research.

• The BMA also welcomes the introduction of regulations allowing tissue to be used for specific purposes from those who lack mental capacity. The BMA believes that this should include undertaking research into the causes and possible treatment of diseases that cause incapacity.

However the BMA is very disappointed that once again the Government has decided to oppose attempts to include presumed consent for organ donation in the legislation. The Association is now calling for an informed public debate so that the Government will see that there is support for such a change.

The Chairman of the BMA Ethics Committee, Dr Michael Wilks, made the following comment today: "We are extremely pleased that so many of our concerns regarding education and research have been listened to. This really is a step forward."

He added:

"What is now needed is a full-scale public information campaign to raise awareness about the need to improve the system for organ donation in this country. Every day someone on the waiting list dies because they can't find a donor. We know that the majority of the public support a system of presumed consent as one way of increasing the number of donors available. The BMA calls on MP's voting on this issue to put dying patients' interests first."