The importance of the values attached to cells for a good informed consent procedure in cell donation for tissue engineering purposes

Abstract

In this article the scope and contents of informed consent for cell donation in tissue engineering are discussed. We evaluate the various values donors may attach to cells and that may influence their decision to donate. Awareness of the various meanings of the value of the cells is therefore essential for all involved in cell transfer. We discuss four types of value: biological, relational, material and informational value and discuss their relevance for collection, for the relationships that are established between donor and cell collector and for informed consent procedures. The actual setting of cell donation and the contents of informed consent can either maintain or disrupt these relationships. While one can exclude donors from any further say in the destination of their cells and from any financial return, one cannot exclude them from a persistent interest in the genetic information of the cells.

The Ethical Implications of Tissue Engineering for Regenerative Purposes: A Systematic Review

“… 74 , 75 Some suggest that consent should be specific to the intended use 17 while others argue that broad consent suffices. 20 , 76 As a prerequisite for consent, donors should be provided relevant information, including information on present and foreseeable use of the collected tissues, 7 , 77–81 on the need to forego financial rights over the tissue, 82 and on policies outlining the return of findings 83 , 84 and the possibility to withdraw. 85 , 86 …”

“… 85 , 93 Yet public banks would fail in providing a supply that is inclusive to all. 84 A hybrid model of public-private biobanking is therefore advocated that allows privately stored tissues to become publicly available, increasing the publicly available supplies 94–96 and accelerating research. 73 …”

“… 73 , 109 Finally, TE creates a paradoxical and potentially undesirable situation in which altruistically donated tissues are turned into profitable materials for which donors have no right to financial gain. 71–74 , 80 , 84 , 93 , 110 This appears at odds with human dignity 111 and the ban on the commodification of human body parts, 112 and might lead to donor exploitation or coercion. 88 , 113–115 …”

The potential of tissue engineering for developing alternatives to animal experiments: a systematic review

“…To date, the ethical debate has strongly focussed on the use of human embryonic stem cells and therapeutic cloning (de Vries et al, 2008;Oerlemans et al, 2011). In addition, some attention has been given to the ethical aspects of clinical trials with human subjects and the donation of cells for TE purposes (Trommelmans et al, 2008a(Trommelmans et al, , 2008b(Trommelmans et al, , 2009. The ethical aspects of the use of laboratory animals in TE research, however, have largely been ignored.…”

Reducing the Number of Laboratory Animals Used in Tissue Engineering Research by Restricting the Variety of Animal Models. Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering as a Case Study

“…1 Moreover, some attention has been paid to the ethics of clinical trials with human subjects and the donation of cells for TE purposes. [2][3][4] The ethical aspects of the use of laboratory animals in tissue engineering research, i however, have largely been ignored.…”