Consent for Tissue Preservation

Question 1

For diseased patients, for which procedures relating to use of body tissues is written consent specifically required?

Answer 1

1. Anatomical examination
2. Determining cause of death
3. Public display of a body or parts of a body

Question 2

Under what circumstances is written consent for investigation to determine cause of death not required?

Answer 2

Where it is in the format of a post mortem requested by a coroner.

Question 3

Who can give consent for the retrieval, use or storage of tissue after death?

Answer 3

• The person during life: Consent stands following their death so long as it was valid
• Nominated representatives where the person has neither expressed or refused consent prior to their death
• Persons of qualifying relationships in order of hierarchy (where no nominated representatives exist or it is impracticable to contact them).

Question 4

Under what circumstances can a nominated representative not give consent following death?

Answer 4

• Anatomical examination

- Public display

Question 5

Give an example of when consent may be required to preserve tissues from a person during life

Answer 5

Storage and use of samples removed during procedures that may be later used for research purposes

Question 6

What is generic consent?

When is it usually used?

Answer 6

Generic consent is used for research on samples of tissue - it allows the research to use the sample in any way necessary for the research purpose without specific consent needed for each intended investigation.

Question 7

How long is consent valid for with regards to preservation / usage of tissue?

Answer 7

Can be enduring (in force indefinitely unless explicitly withdrawn) or time limiting.

Consent cannot be withdrawn once the tissue has already been used and this should be discussed at the time of consent.