Ethical Perception Of Tissue Banking In Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission has initiated the processing of human tissue for utilization in reconstructive surgery as allograft in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Tissue donation and grafting has comprehensive and versatile role in the health care sector. IAEA programmes to develop a series of tissue banks throughout South East Asia by having great significance for improving basic health care in other developing countries. Utilization of human tissues has been practicing in many countries and it has a long history. Bangladesh is somewhat new in the field of tissue banking activities to treat degenerative bone diseases, congenital deformities, bone fractures, gap non-union from traumatic accidents, dental defects, different type of burns, acid violence, leprotic ulcer, bedsore, traumatic open wound, diabetic wound etc. Several hospitals and clinics throughout the country are currently involved in tissue procurement and grafting though some of intricate ethical problems (ideological, cultural, psychological, and religious) and conflicts stay behind this field. For ethical and legal concern, the healthcare personnel have been working under the law of “Human Organ / Tissue Donation and Transplantation Act”, as the National Parliament of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has approved the declaration on 13th April-1999 requiring consent from the donor or next of kins. Before considering the legal and ethical questions associated with tissue banks, several functions must be identified and followed: improvement of the patient care, elimination of the trauma and morbidity associated with secondary surgical procedures, reduction of the prolonged hospital stays and medical costs etc. Although ethics, moral principles, and legal aspects are practicing within some degree of people, it should disseminate enormously to the general public of the country as they could be more aware and interested to tissue donation thereby more people will contribute to alleviate sufferings and more lives will save.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v1i2.9624

Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2010; 1(2): 11-19