Human Tissue Act 2004

Human Tissue Act 2004 is a piece of legislation enacted by the UK Parliament. It was designed to regulate the removal, storage, use and disposal of human bodies, organs and tissue. The Act was passed in response to public concern following high-profile scandals involving the retention of organs and tissues from deceased children by hospitals.

Background

The Human Tissue Act 2004 was introduced following the public outcry over the Alder Hey organs scandal, where organs from deceased children were retained by the Alder Hey Children's Hospital without the consent of the parents. This led to a public inquiry, the Redfern Report, which recommended changes to the law regarding the use of human tissue.

Provisions

The Act sets out a regulatory framework for the removal, storage, use and disposal of human bodies, organs and tissues. It established the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) to oversee these activities. The Act also makes it a criminal offence to remove, store or use human tissue without appropriate consent.

Consent

Under the Act, consent is the fundamental principle. It is unlawful to remove, store or use human tissue from a deceased person without appropriate consent. This can be given by the person themselves before they die, or by a nominated representative or a person in a qualifying relationship.

Regulation

The Act established the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) to regulate activities concerning the removal, storage, use and disposal of human tissue. The HTA is responsible for licensing organisations that carry out these activities.

Impact

The Human Tissue Act 2004 has had a significant impact on medical research, clinical practice and the public's trust in the healthcare system. It has led to greater transparency and accountability in the use of human tissue, and has helped to restore public confidence following the scandals of the past.

See also

• Human Tissue Authority
• Alder Hey organs scandal
• Redfern Report