Human Organs and Tissue (Hansard, 10 July 2002)

§ Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

We are pleased to announce that today, together with the Welsh Assembly Government, we have published a consultative report,Human Bodies, Human Choices, on the law in England and Wales relating to human organs and tissue. Copies have been placed in the Library. Responses have been requested by 14 October.

We are doing this in response to one of the main recommendations made to the Government last year by the Chief Medical Officer of England, Sir Liam Donaldson, in The removal, retention and use of human organs and tissue from post-mortem examination.

The knowledge that organs or tissue were removed from someone close to them has brought profound sorrow to many families. We understand their distress and are grateful to those families, and others, who have already offered their views on how things might be improved for the future.

This is a complex area, and while a number of interim measures have been put in place, we need for the future an effective and coherent framework that not only commands widespread support but also has legal force.

The report seeks views on all issues, including organ donation and transplantation, relating to the use of human organs and tissue from the living as well as following post mortem examination. We look forward to receiving views from a wide range of organisations and groups.