Fears that medical research using tissue such as blood or material from biopsies would be obstructed by the Human Tissue Act 2004 may have been unfounded, a new study from the University of Leicester reveals.

An extra 1,200 organ transplants could be carried out each year if plans announced by the Government are implemented. Health Minister Alan Johnson gave backing yesterday for 14 recommendations intended to increase UK organ donations by 50 per cent over the next five years.

By RICHARD PARTINGTON THE number of people donating their bodies to medical science is rising in Merseyside while the country as a whole is suffering a downturn.

The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) is planning a campaign to promote the new European rules on stem cell research. The HTA - set up to regulate the storage, use and disposal of human bodies, organs and tissue - wants to raise the profile of the new laws governing the controversial research area.

By EXCLUSIVE By Barry Nelson NORTH-EAST health ch