Relatives lose right to block organ donations

LONDON, Aug 31 (Reuters) Families will lose the right to block their relatives' wish to donate their organs under reforms which come into force tomorrow.

Currently families can stop doctors from taking their loved ones' organs even if they carried a donor card. About one in 10 planned donations is blocked at present.

''There is a critical shortage of donated organs,'' said Chris Rudge, Managing Director of UK Transplant, the NHS department which runs Britain's organ donation system. ''The wishes of the deceased must be put first.'' Doctors have been told to urge families to change their minds if they try to stop the planned organ donation.

''We know that in most cases families will agree to donation if they know (that) was their loved one's wish,'' Rudge added.

The Human Tissue Act was drawn up after the organ scandal at Liverpool's Alder Hey Hospital. Hundreds of babies' organs were removed without their parents' consent between 1988 and 1996.

A similar organ retention scandal at the Bristol Royal Infirmary sparked calls for action.

Under the new law, it will be an offence to remove and store human tissue without permission in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Anyone found guilty could be fined or jailed for three years.

It will also be illegal to remove and test genetic material without consent.

A new body, the Human Tissue Authority, will regulate the removal, storage, use and disposal of organs.

''People will be reassured that their wishes expressed while they were alive are now more likely to be followed,'' said HTA Chief Executive Adrian McNeil.

Health Minister Rosie Winterton said the reforms were a ''huge milestone'', while the Royal College of Pathologists said it hoped the changes would help restore public confidence in tissue research.

REUTERS MS DS1225