Human tissues in research and donating your body

Why use human tissues?
Research on human tissues is contributing to advances in virtually every field of medical research. The development of sensitive and sophisticated equipment for monitoring and accurately recording from cells and tissues is opening up new areas of medical research. Human cells and tissues can be kept alive and functioning in the laboratory for increasing lengths of time, and are providing valuable new insights into the cellular processes that underlie human health and disease.

Species differences
The bodies of humans and other animal species work in subtly different ways, right down to the cellular level. Consequently, research on animal cells and tissues may not be applicable to humans. For example, in laboratory tests of a promising new cancer drug, TRAIL, it was unexpectedly found to kill human liver cells, but was harmless to monkey and mouse liver cells.

It is clearly important in medical research to eliminate species differences by using human tissues. Scientists often want to study human tissue, but find it difficult to obtain. Some types of human tissue are in short supply, and so animal tissues are used instead. Animals are bred and killed specifically to provide tissues for research. The Dr Hadwen Trust does not fund research on animal cells and tissues, and only permits the use of ethically-sourced human tissues.

Replacement of animal experiments
In addition to replacing animals killed solely to provide tissues for research, cell and tissue cultures have also made a major contribution to replacing animal experiments in several areas, including drug screening, vaccine production, and diagnostic tests (see factsheet Cell Cultures Replacing Animal Experiments). Despite this, human tissue remains an underused research material that, if it could be obtained on a regular and reliable basis, has great potential to improve the quality of medical research and replace animals.

Sources of human tissue
Human tissues may be obtained from patients, healthy volunteers, cadavers or foetuses, (the Dr Hadwen Trust does not fund any research using human embryos or foetuses). Some types of tissue are readily available, for example blood, skin, placenta and umbilical cord, whilst other types of tissue, such as that from vital organs (heart, lung and liver), are much harder to obtain.

Some tissues can be obtained as waste from surgical operations, (e.g. cosmetic surgery, mastectomy, circumcisions). Small tissue samples (biopsies) are taken from patients for the diagnosis of disease, and these can be put to further use in research. Post-mortem tissues can also be useful, although tissues rapidly deteriorate after death and need to be obtained quickly or frozen for future use. At present there is no nationwide system for the collection, storage and distribution of human tissues for research. Researchers usually make their own arrangements with local hospitals and doctors to acquire human tissues, or they may have access to a few specialised tissue banks.

Following recent scandals involving hospitals that failed to obtain patients’ or next-of-kin’s permission before taking tissues and organs for research, stricter legislation has been introduced to make sure this never happens again. Everyone agrees that it is important to ensure the ethical provision of human tissues for research. Nonetheless, many researchers fear that the new regulations will make it so difficult to obtain human tissue that it could hamper research. It could also result in an increase in the use of animal tissues, which are far easier to obtain.

Tissue banks
There is a long established and well-organised, nationwide system of tissue banks for transplants. Whole organs, as well as bone, skin, and eye tissue are used in transplants. Donated tissues and organs that prove unsuitable for transplant can subsequently be supplied for research purposes, if the permission of the donor or next-of-kin has been obtained. If you wish tissues from your body to be used in research after death, you should consider registering as an organ donor [1].

At present the health care system prioritises organs and tissues for transplantation first, before research. The severe shortage of human organs available for transplants has resulted in extensive research to use animal organs for this purpose, involving much animal suffering. Pig heart valves are already transplanted into patients, and donated human heart valves can directly replace the use of pig valves from specially bred and slaughtered pigs. Human heart valves are used in preference to animal ones when possible, but there is still a shortage of human valves.

UK Human Tissue Bank (UKHTB)
The Dr Hadwen Trust helped to establish the UKHTB at Leicester, the first of its kind in the UK. The tissue bank makes use of human donor organs and tissues that have proved unsuitable for transplantation and waste tissues removed during surgery. It is a centralised store of human tissues and provides a reliable source of high quality tissue to researchers. Please note, it is not possible for an individual to arrange donation of their body to the tissue bank – tissues are acquired through established arrangements with hospitals and the transplant services. You can learn more at their website: www.ukhtb.org

Brain banks and in-house tissue banks
A number of brain banks exist around the country that store tissue for research into neurological disorders. It is possible to arrange to leave your brain to these banks, and several produce information packs for donors [2]. Some hospitals have their own tissue storage facilities for supplying in-house researchers with specific tissue types. If you are undergoing treatment at a hospital you can always ask if such facilities exist and if your tissues can be used.

Humane Donor Card – Animal Aid
The Humane Donor Cards, produced some years ago by the campaigning group Animal Aid, have now been discontinued. The cards were part of a campaign to raise public awareness of this issue. However carrying one of these cards has no legal status and does not ensure that you body will be used in research. The card was an effective campaign tool showing that people were willing to support such a system.

Leaving your body for training doctors
Medical students learn anatomy by dissecting human cadavers and there is a shortage of donor bodies for training doctors. To arrange to leave your body for use in training doctors you should contact the Human Tissue Authority at Finlaison House, 15-17 Furnival Street, London EC4 1AB. Tel: 020 7972 4551 for further details. Or you can download a brochure and consent form at their website: www.hta.gov.uk

Important steps you need to take

Arrange to leave your body or organs to a tissue bank and ensure you sign a consent form that they should provide. It is advisable for bequest of a body to be made by the donor in writing, and signed in the presence of a witness. You should also inform your next-of-kin of your wishes, as they are likely to be consulted after your death. We recommend that you discuss the issue with your family, your doctor and the executors of your Will. It can be of great comfort to some people to know that they are carrying out their loved-one’s wishes.

Investigate the possibilities now. Tissues deteriorate rapidly after death and quickly become unusable. Organs need to be collected within 4 – 6 hours of death, although some tissues may be collected up to 48 hours after death. Because time is of the essence, you should explore the possibilities in advance and register your willingness to donate tissues with a hospital or tissue bank where possible. Don’t leave this for your next-of kin to organise, as this is likely to be too late.

Register with the NHS Organ Donor Register and carry a donor card. In the event of your death, your organs will be considered for transplant first, and failing this they can be used in research. An increase in the availability of human organs would reduce the demand for animal organs and tissues for both transplant and research.

Ask your local hospital. If you are having a biopsy taken or you are about to undergo an operation, you can ask the hospital if your tissues can be used in research. Whether this is possible or not will depend on what research is taking place locally that requires the type of tissue taken from you, and availability of tissue banking facilities.

Some frequently asked questions

Can I leave my body to the Dr Hadwen Trust for research?
No. The Trust does not have the facilities to store or distribute donated tissues.

Can I ensure that my body is used in research?
There is no 100% guarantee that your body will ultimately be used in research. This will depend on a number of factors impossible to predict, including where, when and how you die. For example, death from an infection may make it impractical to collect or use your tissues. The facilities available to preserve your body will be an important factor, as tissues need to be collected very quickly, usually within a few hours of death. You can help to ensure that your body is used in research by following the Important Steps listed above.

Can I ensure that my tissues are used in humane research to replace animals?
No, but scientists needing tissues for research are quite likely to resort to using animal tissues if human tissue is not readily available. By providing a supply of human tissue, you will be helping to prevent the killing of animals in laboratories for tissues, as well as contributing to medical research. Research on human tissues is unlikely to also involve animal experiments.

Can I arrange to leave my body to a tissue bank for research?
A few hospitals and research institutes have their own tissue banks where you can register your desire to leave your body or organs for research after death. You should approach your local hospital to see if there is a system in place for the donation of bodies or tissues. Brain banks, for research into serious brain disorders, have a shortage of ‘normal’ disease-free brains donated to them. See contact details at the bottom of this page.

How will donating my body affect the funeral arrangements?
Usually organs and tissues are collected by specially trained hospital staff within a matter of hours of death. Your body is returned and your family should be able to make normal funeral arrangements without any undue delay.

Contact addresses

Organ Donor Register
Telephone the organ donor line on 0845 6060 400 or register online at www.uktransplant.org.uk. Organ donor cards may be available at your local pharmacy or doctor’s surgery.

Other Tissue and Organ Banks
A number of hospitals run in-house tissue banks that collect organs or tissue after death. Some only accept tissue on a local basis but others operate nationwide. It is impossible to guarantee that your tissues will be used in place of animal experiments, but the greater availability of human tissues will make the use of animals less likely and increase the relevance of medical research.

Bristol University
Bodies can be bequeathed specifically for research purposes or for training of student doctors. Bequest Office, Dept of Anatomy, University of Bristol, Southwell Street, BS2 8EJ. Tel: 0117 928 7415

Keratec Eye Bank
Eye bank and corneal research laboratory run by the charity Keratec, at St George’s Hospital in London. Eyes are obtained from donors in the St George’s NHS Trust Hospital group. The Keratec Eye Bank, St George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE.
Tel: 020 8672 1238 Email: eyebank@sghms.ac.uk

Leeds Tissue Bank
Collects post-mortem tissue for research, especially cancer and orthopaedic research. Consent forms and instructions are available online at: www.gift.leeds.ac.uk/index.html
Leeds Tissue Bank, Room 4.12, Section of Pathology and Tumour Biology, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, St. James’ University Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF.
Tel: 0113 343 8508 Email: leedstissuebank@leedsth.nhs.uk

London Neurodegenerative Brain Bank
Has a collection of almost 2,000 cases of brain tissue from a wide range of neurological disorders. Donor information packs available. Brain Bank Coordinator, P0 Box 65, Institute of Psychiatry, London, SE5 8AF.
Tel: 020 7848 0275 Email: brainbank@iop.kcl.ac.uk

Multiple Sclerosis Tissue Bank
Procures brain, spinal cord and other tissues for use in research into multiple sclerosis. Tissue is bequeathed by donors, both those with MS or healthy controls. Information packs available for donors. The UK M.S. Tissue Bank, Division of Neuroscience and Psychological Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF.
Tel: 020 8846 7324 Email: ukmstissuebank@imperial.ac.uk
The 24-hour Emergency Donor Line number is: 07 659 132 045

Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource
Collects disease brains only from their own patients, but need more brain tissue from healthy older people (over 65). Donations should take place within 24 to 72 hours. Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource, Edwardson Building, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL.
Tel:0191 248 1231 or 0191 248 1229 Email: nbtr@ncl.ac.uk

Nottingham Brain Bank
Collect mainly whole brain, but also some other tissues (e.g. lower limbs and lumber spine) depending on studies in progress at the University. Have donor register and can provide leaflet. Nottingham Brain Bank, Dept of Histopathology, Queen’s Medical Centre, University Hospital NHS Trust, Nottingham NG7 2UH. Tel: 0115 970 9726

Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders
Collect brain and some spinal material from patients with or without neurological disorders, especially Parkinsonian movement disorders, progressive supranuclear palsy, also dementia and other disorders. Need more healthy controls. Donor forms available. They supply tissue to researchers worldwide. Queen Square Brain Bank, Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ.
Tel: 020 7837 8370 Email: s.stoneham@ion.ucl.ac.uk

Parkinson’s Disease Society Tissue Bank
Accepts brain tissue and spinal cord from patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, as well as healthy control donors. Has donor scheme and donations accepted from across the UK. Parkinson’s Disease Society Tissue Bank, Division of Neuroscience & Psychological Medicine, Burlington Danes Building, Imperial College London, 160 Du Cane Road, London,W12 0NN.
Telephone: 0207 594 9732 Email: pdbank@imperial.ac.uk
Emergency donor line 07659 10 45 37

Sheffield Tissue Bank
Collect brain and spinal cord from patients with neurodegenerative disease, also need healthy brain. Sheffield Tissue Bank, Academic Neurology Unit, Division of Genomic Medicine, E Floor, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX.
Tel: 0114 271 2386 or 0114 271 3579

South West Dementia Brain Bank
Collects brain from dementia and non-dementia brain. Donations possible.The South West Dementia Brain Bank, Dept of Care of the Elderly, John James Building, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol BS16 1LE.
Email: Laura.E.Palmer@bristol.ac.uk Tel: 0117 970 1212 ext 2270

Medical Training
You can leave your body for the teaching of anatomy to medical students by contacting Human Tissue Authority, Finlaison House, 15-17 Furnival Street, London EC4 1AB. Tel: 0207 211 3400. A brochure and consent form can be downloaded at their website: www.hta.gov.uk

Download this Focus on Alternatives leaflet about human tissue donation.

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