§ 26. Mr. Robert Daviesasked the Minister of Health if he will seek to amend the Human Tissue Act, 1961, in line with proposals agreed at a recent Ciba conference on Ethics in Medical Progress, details of which have been sent to him, so as to facilitate further progress in transplantation surgery.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI have not received details of the proceedings of this conference, but am aware of one proposal which was discussed. This I am examining.
§ Mr. DaviesWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this is a matter of considerable concern to surgeons engaged in this field, particularly in the case of kidney transplants from cadavers, where the operation has to be undertaken very quickly. and surgeons feel that they are considerably handicapped by the present Act?
§ Mr. RobinsonYes, Sir; I have heard of the discussions. I do not know to what extent the proposal was endorsed by the conference, nor do I know whether it would command wider acceptance. These are delicate matters which I think need further study.