University of Sussex
Browse
1/1
2 files

Exploring the socioethical dilemmas in the use of a global health archive

Version 2 2023-06-12, 07:28
Version 1 2023-06-09, 15:37
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-12, 07:28 authored by Matthew James Vaughton Holmes, Isla-Kate Morris, Anthony Williams, Jennifer Le Blond, Victoria Cranna, Gail DaveyGail Davey
A global health archive consisting of podoconiosis tissue slides and blocks (which was collected and imported into the UK before the introduction of the Human Tissue Act), was donated to Brighton & Sussex Medical School in 2014. There is little guidance on the socioethical and legal issues surrounding the retrospective use of archived or ‘abandoned’ tissue samples, which poses a number of questions relating to the ethical standing of the archive. There is a great deal of interpretation in the guidelines that are currently in existence, however modern ethical principles cannot be applied as it is not feasible to either reconsent or retrospectively seek approval. Our research team believed that it was unethical to leave the archive in storage, as this option favours neither researcher nor subjects. Permission was obtained from the Human Tissue Authority and a local ethics board for the tissues to be utilised in on-going research on podoconiosis aetiology. There is a delicate balance between the benefits gained by society relating to the development and progress of scientific research and the risks to the donor regarding the reuse of their tissues. Clearer guidelines should be made available to ensure that researchers are able to re-use tissue archives in contemporary research.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Research Ethics

ISSN

1747-0161

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Issue

1

Volume

15

Page range

1-9

Department affiliated with

  • Global Health and Infection Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-10-25

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-10-25

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-10-24

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC