February 4, 2004

Human Tissue Bill – a threat to medical research?

Speakers:
Prof Peter Furness, Professor of Renal Pathology, Leicester General Hospital
Dr Mark Walport, Director, The Wellcome Trust
Dr Richard Sullivan, Head of Clinical Programmes, Cancer Research UK
Dr Alistair Kent, Director, Genetics Interest Group

While there is wide agreement that there is a need for new and clear legislation in the wake of the Alder Hey and Bristol organ scandals, there is a growing consensus that the Human Tissue Bill as it is currently drafted could cause serious damage to medical research and may criminalise activities that form a crucial part of normal clinical, pathological or research practice.