In the news
19 Jul 2008
16 January 2008
Survey: more action needed on human tissues
A national survey of scientists conducted by Focus on Alternatives1 (FoA) indicates that a lack of a reliable supply of human tissues may be contributing to many scientists continuing to use animal cells/tissue in their research.
Every year thousands of animals are killed purely to provide biological products such as blood and tissues for research. Ethically-sourced human tissues and cells can provide a direct replacement for these animal tissues, avoiding problems of species extrapolation and improving relevance to human patients. However, the FoA survey has revealed that many researchers lack a reliable supply of high-quality human tissues and cells , and this could hamper the replacement of animal studies.
Human tissue survey
A survey2 was undertaken to identify obstacles that limit the more widespread use of human cells and tissues in research.
• 78% sourced human cells/tissues from in-house sources and/or by collaborations with surgeons and clinicians.
• 24% sourced human cells/tissues from the UK Human Tissue Bank at Leicester
• 24% sourced human cells/tissues from commercial suppliers.
• 78% said it could be difficult to obtain a regular and reliable supply of certain types of primary human cells/tissues for research purposes.
• 54% said the lack of a reliable supply prevented them from making greater use of human tissues in research.
The most common reason identified as preventing greater use of human tissues in research was the lack of a reliable supply. The other most commonly identified difficulty was the establishment and maintenance of collaborations with surgeons and clinicians, and the process of ethical approval and consent.
The most favoured ways to improve the supply and availability of human cells and tissues were the provision of more human tissue banks; improving public awareness of the need and usefulness of human tissues; and simplifying the ethical approval and consent procedures.
Recommendations
It is clear that the supply and availability of human cells and tissues for research could be improved by the provision of more human tissue banks. A co-ordinated network of tissue banks, preferably across Europe, is needed. Research councils, charities and universities should also collaborate to improve the retrieval and supply of human tissues for research. Simplifying and streamlining the ethical approval and consent procedure for using human tissues in research could encourage greater use of human cells and tissues in research. The Human Tissue Authority also needs to provide clear advice for the public on how to bequeath a body for research purposes, and a list of tissue banks which can accept these donations.
Click here to download the Focus on Alternatives leaflet containing advice on tissue donation.
Notes:
1 The Dr Hadwen Trust is a founder member of Focus on Alternatives which was established in 1998. Focus on Alternatives brings together representatives from British non-profit organisations funding the development or promoting the acceptance of methods that replace laboratory animals in research, education and testing. Members include Dr Hadwen Trust, FRAME (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments), Humane Research Trust, UK Human Tissue Bank (UKHTB), St Andrew Animal Fund (part of Advocates for Animals), RSPCA and Lord Dowding Fund.
2 A questionnaire survey of scientists working in academia and industry in Britain was conducted between March and November 2006.
