We have produced two new eLearning modules about Research Tissue Banks (RTB). The modules, developed in partnership with the Human Tissue Authority, aim to help the research community and Research Ethics Committee (REC) members understand the legal, ethical and regulatory aspects of RTBs.
Research Tissue Banks – an Introduction is
designed to help REC members, research and development staff, tissue bank managers, designated individuals
and other staff be aware of the structure of RTBs, the regulations and ethics
behind them. This module outlines the process and issues involved in the
ethical review of RTBs, and outlines their licensing arrangements in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland.
How to ethically review an RTB – a guide for REC members is designed to support REC members with the ethical review of RTB applications. However, the module may also be of interest to researchers preparing to submit applications. This module highlights ethical issues to consider when reviewing RTB applications. It explains how to distinguish RTBs from project-specific applications involving tissue and sets out licensing arrangements of RTBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Both modules are available on our learning management platform.