On the spot.

Ten minute interview between Alistair Stewart and Professor Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust, after news that the Wellcome Trust had criticised the Human Tissue Bill, believing that vital research could suffer. Professor Walport discusses the structure and aims of the Wellcome Trust, speaks on the importance of research into animal health as well as research on animals in scientific development. The Alder Hey hospital scandal, where children's organs were retained without their parents' consent, is briefly discussed. Walport asserts that the Wellcome Trust is against the 'umbrella term' of 'tissue' in the new Bill and says they are working with the Health Authorities to get the wording right. He ends by talking about the Government support for scientific research and how the Wellcome Trust gives funding to international projects that commercial companies might overlook.