§ Lord Lucasasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why an ethics committee has become involved in Professor Collinge's proposed prospective study of tonsil samples; and whether the involvement of this committee will contribute to the speedy determination of whether, when and how abnormal prions in tonsils led on to clinical disease [HL1659]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathEthics committees exist to review any proposed research projects involving human subjects with the aim of ensuring that the124WA dignity, rights, safety and well-being of all actual or potential research participants are safeguarded. Such committees will consider the potential impact of any such research on the subjects both in the short term and, where relevant, in the long term. The Government believe that the goals of research, however important or time critical, should not be permitted to override the health, well-being and care of research participants.
As researchers make headway and results in due course start to emerge from this study, they will at the same time need careful interpretation before any conclusions are published. Findings from the study will have to be subject to the normal processes of validation and peer review by the relevant scientific experts, including the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee.