Scotland introduces Human Tissue Bill

New legislation to regulate organ retention and transplantation has been introduced into the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish-specific bill would make carrying out a hospital post-mortem without the pre-death authorisation of the individual or their nearest relative an offence punishable by up to a year in prison.

It would also strengthen the donation opt-in system, making carrying a donor card count as authorisation, and would give HM Inspector of Anatomy in Scotland the power to regulate the use of bodies or body parts in public exhibitions under the guise of education or art.

Health Minister Andy Kerr said: “We have consulted widely over the past three years to ensure that all options and views have been taken in to consideration as we fully recognise the sensitive nature of the legislation. I am confident we have produced a bill that is fully respectful of people’s right to make a choice.”