Human tissue regulation needs to go under the microscope, says UK cancer think-tank

The UK-based science policy think-tank, Newton's Apple, has this month published new research, titled Delivering Innovative Cancer Diagnostics and Treatments to Patients. The report sets out recommendations to improve the translation of research findings into real benefits for cancer patients. In particular, it calls for an independent review of the regulation which governs the use of human tissue in research.

The regulation resulting from the 2004 Human Tissue Act was implemented by the Human Tissue Authority in 2006. Two years on, experts report that the progress of cancer research is often impeded as scientists grapple with the red tape or are deterred by it altogether.

The procedures are also expensive; Newton's Apple says it has received reports from a leading UK university that up to L51,000 ($101,582) a year is diverted from research funds to comply with the regulations. As a result of such claims, the report recommends that there be an independent assessment to investigate whether the current regulation really is having an adverse affect on the practice of research.