Ban on fathers collecting stem-cell blood at births – The Times

“New rules for the collection of cord blood have triggered a row between the Human Tissue Authority and Virgin Health Bank (VHB), a private company involved in the process.”

Full story

The Times, 1st May 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

MPs back organ donor law change – The Observer

“An overwhelming majority of MPs support adopting a new system of organ donation, because the shortage of donor kidneys, hearts and lungs is so severe, a survey carried out by The Observer has found. Of the 120 who responded to a poll last week, 97 said they were in favour of proposals to change current rules, so that everyone would automatically be considered a donor after their death, unless they had opted out during their lifetime, or relatives objected.”

Full story

The Observer, 20th January 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Organ supply ‘can be boosted without new law’ – The Times

“Greater effort and more money could increase organ transplants by 50 per cent without a change in the law, a task force set up by the Government says.”

Full story

The Times, 17th January 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

PM backs removal of body parts without consent – The Independent

“Gordon Brown is sympathetic to calls for hospitals to be allowed to remove organs from dead patients without explicit consent, but families would have a veto which would allow them to stop organs being used to save the lives of others if, as expected, the Government brings in a system of ‘presumed consent’.

Full story

The Independent, 14th January 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Organ donation a “Christian duty” – BBC News

“The Church of England has declared organ donation to be a Christian duty, in keeping with giving oneself and one’s possessions freely.

 It [the Church] was taking part in a House of Lords consultation on whether there should be an EU-wide position on organ donation.”

Full story

BBC News, 8th October 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Doctors’ rebellion forces embryo research U-turn – The Times

“Ministers performed a U-turn yesterday over the future of fertility treatment and research using hybrid human-animal embryos. After a revolt by doctors, scientists and patients, first reported in The Times, the Department of Health announced that it was scrapping its controversial money-saving plan to merge the watchdogs for fertility treatment and human tissue.”

Full story

The Times, 9th October 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Sellafield body parts inquiry grows, says QC – The Guardian

“The barrister investigating the removal of body parts from Sellafield workers and those at other nuclear plants over 30 years said yesterday that he expected the number of cases would rise beyond the 65 already disclosed by BNFL.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th July 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk