The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) aims to ensure that human tissue is used safely and ethically, and with proper consent. It licenses and inspects organisations that remove, store and use tissue for the following purposes:
- teaching about or studying the human body
- carrying out post-mortem examinations.
- treating patients
- carrying out research on human tissue
- displaying human bodies or tissue in public, for example in a museum
It also gives approval for organ donations and bone marrow donations from living people. A living person who wants to donate their organs has to go through an independent assessment process. If an adult or child who doesn't have the capacity to give consent wants to donate bone marrow, they have to go through an accredited assessment process. This ensures that the interests of donors are looked after.
The HTA gives advice and guidance about two laws – the Human Tissue Act 2004 and the European Union Tissue and Cells Directives. These were fully introduced into UK law on July 5 2007, through the Human Tissue (Quality and Safety for Human Application) Regulations 2007. These laws ensure that human tissue is used safely and ethically, with proper consent. The HTA sets standards that are clear and reasonable, which both the public and professionals can have confidence in.
In March 2011, the HTA was named the Competent Authority for England and Wales for the EU Organ Donation Directive (EUODD). It will take the lead in developing a framework for regulating the donation and transplant of organs, which will be introduced into law by August 2012. This will set the standard for quality and safety, maximising the benefits and minimising the risks of organ transplants across Europe. The Scottish and Irish Assemblies also asked the HTA to be their Competent Authority for the EUODD, and it has accepted.
The HTA reports to the Secretary of State for Health. The professional members of its board come from medical and scientific backgrounds that are related to the HTA's work. The nonprofessional members bring a wide range of business, commercial and public sector experience.
For more information about the HTA, download the HTA's guide to its key messages (PDF, 462Kb) or visit the HTA website.
What is human tissue and how is it used?
There are many different types of human tissue. These include skin, body parts, organs, stem cells and bone. This tissue has the following different uses:
- Human bodies are used to teach students about the structure of the body and how it works, and to train and develop the skills of surgeons and pathologists.
- Human tissue is used during a post-mortem examination to find out why someone has died.
- Human tissue, such as heart valves, skin and corneas (part of the eye), is used to treat patients with particular medical conditions. Human tissue and cells, such as umbilical cord blood, may also be stored for possible future use.
- Human tissue and cells are used to research the causes of and treatments for illnesses such as cancer, or disorders of the brain or nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease or multiple sclerosis.
- Organs, such as kidneys, livers and lungs, are used in transplants to treat people whose organs have failed. Bone marrow transplants are also used to treat people with diseases of the blood, such as leukaemia.
- Human bodies and body parts may also be displayed in public places, such as museums.
See the HTA website to find out more about living organ donation or how to donate your body.
