Speaking at a press conference last Thursday (21), North Side MLA EzzardMiller said he was denied an opportunity to express his concerns in the Legislative Assembly (LA) because of changes to the order paper.

Miller was speaking about the drafting of the Human Tissue Transplant Bill that he said could open the possibility that human organs and tissue could be sold for cash.

He has also asked who exactly, other than a medical practitioner, would be allowed to remove or authorise the removal of tissue?

Miller said after he left the LA because of a prior engagement in his constituency the government altered the order paper.

“Having started very late and taken a more than two hour lunch,” he said, “the government was forced to sit late but the two bills with which I had concerns had not been scheduled to be debated after I left. Having been in the house since 9:30 that morning and waiting on government’s timetable, I was unable to remain for the late sitting after the House hours had already drawn to a close because of a constituency engagement. The minister knew I had objections and concerns and was going to propose amendments to address them when the House was due to meet this Friday. Instead, the government opted to debate these bills in my absence.

“My concern is that the bill, if passed into law, would allow the buying and selling of human tissue and organs. I am also concerned with the composition of the human tissue transplant council, which will be appointed by politicians in Cabinet. Who is going to prescribe persons or classes of persons other than registered medical practitioners that could remove tissue and authorised tissue removal?

“I am so concerned about the bill becoming law in its present form that I suggested to the minister that the bill be withdrawn until the questions can be addressed.”

Mark Scotland, Cayman Islands Health Minister, has said the legislation does not allow the sale of organs or tissue, which is prohibited. In the long term, he said, it would pave the way for future transplants in Cayman and in the short term it would allow patients in this jurisdiction to get on to international lists for transplant once the law is in place and has already assisted some people in need of transplant.

The minister also said he would be clarifying clause 18. This is the clause Miller was referring to that suggests people other than doctors may be able to remove or authorize removal of tissue before the committee stage of the bill.