Overview

This bill amends the Human Tissue Act 2004 to address two key areas: organ tourism (transplantation procedures received abroad) and the display of imported cadavers. It aims to strengthen regulations around consent for organ transplants obtained internationally and clarify the legal framework for the display of imported cadavers in public.

Description

Organ Tourism

The bill introduces new offenses related to organ tourism, specifically targeting UK citizens involved in receiving transplants abroad where consent was not freely, informed, and specifically given, or where financial gain or comparable advantage was exchanged for the organ. The bill clarifies that it is immaterial whether the offence occurred in the UK or elsewhere if the individual has a close connection to the UK (defined by citizenship or residency). It also sets out penalties for those found guilty, ranging from up to 12 months imprisonment on summary conviction to up to 9 years on indictment. Further, the bill mandates that specified persons keep records of UK citizens receiving transplants abroad and report these instances to NHS Blood and Transplant, who will then issue an annual report.

Public Display of Imported Cadavers

The bill amends the Human Tissue Act 2004 to clarify that the importation of cadavers for public display requires separate authorization from the importation for other purposes.

Government Spending

The bill is unlikely to have a significant direct impact on government spending. The costs associated with enforcement and data collection by NHS Blood and Transplant would need to be considered but no specific figures are provided within the bill itself.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• UK citizens undergoing transplants abroad: Those involved in potentially illegal organ tourism activities face prosecution.
• Organ donation and transplantation professionals: Increased record-keeping and reporting requirements will affect their practice.
• NHS Blood and Transplant: This organization will have new responsibilities for data collection and reporting.
• Institutions displaying imported cadavers: Those displaying imported cadavers will need to ensure compliance with the amended legislation.

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