Lecture 3: Body Donation

Question 1

what is english law characterised by and what does it mean

Answer 1

characterised by no property principle which means we do not “own” our bodies

Question 2

what was the Alder Hey scandal

Answer 2

• in 1999
• 105,000 organs were harvested from stillborn and aborted babies and sold to pharmaceutical companies
• even though they signed forms, parents weren’t properly informed
• led to detailed legislation, the Human Tissue Authority

Question 3

what does the Human Tissue Authority determine that human tissue can be used for

Answer 3

• medical treatment, so stem cells
• transplantation
• medical research
• education and training
• display in public, eg museums and exhibitions
• post mortem

Question 4

what does the Tissue Act say and when was it passed

Answer 4

• 2004
  the use of the body of a deceased person for anatomical examination is lawful IF done:
• with appropriate consent
• after death has been registered