The actual shortage of human tissue for research prevents the development of in vitro systems. It also prevents the introduction of rational testing on human tissue that should be replacing animal tissue in the regulatory requirements for the evaluation of drug toxicity. The creation of non-profit tissue banks can avoid legal and ethical problems but also foster the collection, registry and distribution of human tissue for research. In order to obtain human tissue to meet regulatory requirements and develop drugs, industry would have to pay fees that could serve to recover the cost of public non-profit tissue banks. A transparent and accountable network of tissue banks requires a public commission representing the various members of society. The design of an accreditation system of researchers to assess, credentials, scientific merit of the projects, adequate facilities and safety issues is necessary. Structures at hospitals serve as mediators between researchers, health professionals and provincial tissue banks to ensure the constant circulation of information and consistency of tissues. Canada has become an offshore shelter for animal experimenters; it is little surprise that the possible avenues to optimize the use of human tissues and cells into cost-efficient and scientific alternatives to animal testing and experimentation have been, to say the least, neglected.
See details at: The Use of Human Cells and Tissues in Research