News : The Nuffield Council on Bioethics published a report on donation for medicine and research

This report of Nuffield Council on Bioethics of October 2011 entitled "Human bodies: donation for medicine and research"has been prepared on the ground of several inquiries including a public consultation. 

This report sets out guidance to help people consider the ethical acceptibility of various ways of encouraging people to donate, both for treatment of others and for scientific research.

 

The terms of reference for the working group were:

1. To identify and consider the ethical, legal and social implications of transactions involving
human bodies and bodily material in medical treatment and research.

2. To consider, with reference to different forms and purposes of donation or volunteering, what
limits there should be, if any, on the promotion of donation or volunteering, including
consideration of:

a the role of payment and any other form of remuneration or exchange;

b the role of consent;

c the question of subsequent use, ownership and control of donated materials;

d the role of those acting as intermediaries between donors and recipients; and

e the cultural and international perspectives, including regulatory differences.

3. To draft a Report and make recommendations on these issues.

 

The regulatory and ethical issues related to the exchange of human samples are tackled both in the context of medicine and research (e.g. 1.28; 2.34...).

 

The structure of the report:

Summary and recommendations

Introduction

Chapter 1 - Human bodily material in medicine and research: overview

Chapter 2 - Regulatory landscape: overview

Chapter 3 - Supply and demand

Chapter 4 - Debates over ethics

Chapter 5 - An ethical framework

Chapter 6 - Actions affecting individuals

Chapter 7 - Actions addressing organisations

Chapter 8 - Afterword from the Working Party Chair

Appendices

 

The report and other information such as the summaries of key recommendations and recommendations for individuals or organisations are available on the official website of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics.

You can also access to the full report through the UK theoritical part on hSERN.

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