New rules coming into force next month will give scientists working on stem cell research access to samples of blood and tissue collected by NHS hospitals during biopsies and treatments, as well as to giant “tissue banks” which built up stores of material before the legislation was introduced.

Ethics experts, patients’ groups and churches described the change as “absolutely frightening” and liable to destroy trust among thousands who donate, whatever their views on the use of hybrid embryos for stem cell research.

While scientists will have to try to gain explicit consent before using cells from such stores, if the samples were collected before 1st October and the donor cannot be tracked down, the experiments will be allowed to go ahead regardless.

In an article for The Lancet, leading ethical experts yesterday warned of a risk of a public outcry similar to those over scandals at Alder Hey and Bristol Royal Infimary hospitals, when children’s body parts were kept without parental consent.

Source/Full Story:: Telegraph
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