Human Tissue Act 2004 Explanatory Notes

Section 8: Restriction of activities in relation to donated material

25.This section provides that, where the body of a deceased person or relevant material from a human body is the subject of any consent under section 1, it may not be used, or stored for use, for purposes other than the following: (a) a purpose listed in Schedule 1, (b) medical diagnosis or treatment, (c) disposal or (d) another purpose excepted by regulations. It will be an offence to use such material for any other purpose. The offence will not apply where a person believes on reasonable grounds that the body or material is not relevant material which is the subject of appropriate consent. The regulation-making power is intended to be used to ensure that legitimate uses of tissue which may come to light in future will not be criminalised.

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