The legal effect of donor requests to have their blood and tissue samples transferred to Dr. Catalona at Northwestern University is still under the consideration of the federal court.

To date, these blood and tissue samples have not been transferred by Washington University. (See QUEST Fall and Winter 2003 issues for information on legal actions.)

In a St. Louis Riverfront Times article (November 19, 2003), Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania said: "Ethically, I'd like to see them [Washington University] honor these requests. People make these gifts -- and they are gifts -- and certainly you can say, 'I made the gift contingent on the fact that this doctor's going to work with these tissues. I know that Wash. U. has control, but I really gave them because I like this doctor. If he's moving and he wants them, he should have them.' I think, ethically, the school should honor that, if they want to keep getting people to give tissues to them."

The issue of donors' wishes has been in the news recently in other medical areas, and the control of donors over their own tissue and body parts has received widespread attention in scientific journals, legislation, and the media.

Any individuals who wish to comment or provide information are encouraged to send the information to PO Box 11716, St. Louis, MO 63105.

Also, if you have not yet sent your consent and authorization form (enclosed in QUEST Spring 2003 or sent to you by mail) and wish to do so, please sign and return it now.

If you would like to receive a consent form, please send a request to the PO Box above or click here to print the form.

Dr. Catalona is optimistic that he can prevail in using the samples of those who so direct him to have them.

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