use of human tissues Flashcards
What did Burke and Hare do?
They murdered and sold the corpses of 16 victims to Dr Robert Knox for his anatomy lectures/public dissections. This led to the Anatomy Act 1832.
What were Hallervorden and Spatz involved in?
They took brain material from disabled people as part of the murder of numerous mentally disabled individuals during the Nazi experiments. They described the Hallervorden and Spatz disease which is a familial brain degeneration disorder.
What are the issues with HeLa cells?
Henrietta Lacks who the cell line came from was not asked for consent for her cells to be used for research.
What was the issue with the Bristol Royal Infirmary?
They had higher death rates than a London infirmary for people with the same illnesses. An inquiry was carried out where they collected organs at post-mortems, however consent was not achieved. This was not an act of malice, they were trying to better treatments, however the actions conducted were wrong. This spurred further investigation as Alder Hey hospital declared that they had widespread organ retention that they could use for teaching purposes. This led to the Human Tissue Act 2004.
What does the Human Tissue Act 2004 cover?
Human application Anatomy Post-mortem Public Display Research Organ donation and transplantation
What tissues are included under the Act?
Pancreas (e.g. organs), blood, urine, faeces, saliva, skin.
What tissues are not included under the Act?
Gametes, embryos outside the human body (these are covered by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act), hair and nails from living person, plasma and serum, cell lines and dividing cells (if from original patient then yes until they’re divided and not from the original cell line).
What is required for a licensed establishment to store and use human tissues under the Human Tissue Act 2004?
They must have a suitable person to ensure everyone is properly trained and all regulations are accurately followed.
What are the offences according to the Human Tissue Act 2004?
- Removing, storing, using human tissue without appropriate consent.
- Using human tissue for a different purpose as licensed for.
- Trafficking human tissue for transplantation.
- Not having a license and carrying out licensable activities.
- Having hair, nails, gametes with the intention of its DNA being analysed without the consent of the person.
What is the role of the EU Tissue and Cell Directive?
Must ensure that any tissue/sample which is donated is traceable.
What does the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 demand with regards to embryonic stem cell lines?
They state that any projects involving human embryonic stem cell lines must have a license, and must deposit a sample of each cell line created in the UK Stem Cell Bank.
How would you approach gaining approvals for a research project involving human tissue?
- Would need to gain REC approval
- Advertise independently
- Payment optional
- Fully informed consent
- Independent oversight
- Reporting and standards
- Approach a HTA licensed tissue bank
What are steering committees for in relation to stem cells?
An independent steering committee oversees the UK Stem Cell Bank and all over research involving human embryonic stem cell lines. No other research other than that approved (or involvement of any third party) is allowed unless approved by the Steering Committee.
