Procedure for best practice in research involving the use of human tissue

Following guidance obtained from the Medical Research Council, research involving human tissue (Appendix A) should undergo independent ethical review. This ensures the rights, safety, dignity and wellbeing of research participants are safeguarded and also ensures that appropriate legal requirements in tissue legislation are met. The ethical review and approval of non-clinical research involving human participants proposed by staff and students is overseen by six School Research Ethics Committees (SRECs) within the University of Dundee. Each SREC is responsible for maintaining ethical standards of practice in non-clinical research involving human participants which ensures public trust in the conduct of research at the University. It is also the responsibility of project supervisors to be aware of and understand the ethical implications of using human tissue within research before embarking on a project.