The British hospital at the centre of a scandal over the stockpiling of babies' organs, today faced a fresh barrage of criticism after admitting it gave a pharmaceutical company body parts from living children in return for financial donations.
Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool said thymus glands removed from youngsters during complex heart operations, were sent to the company for research purposes between 1991 and 1993.
The mother of a baby boy whose organs were removed and stored by Alder Hey without her consent said she was appalled at the latest disclosure, while British Health Minister Mr John Hutton, said the development was "absolutely horrifying".
The exchange of organs for cash is the latest twist in the Alder Hey organs scandal and the first time body parts from living children have been involved.
The findings of an independent inquiry into the practice, chaired by Sir Michael Redfern QC, will be presented to Parliament by Health Secretary Mr Alan Milburn next Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for Alder Hey refused to name the company involved, but it is understood to be Aventis Pasteur, a leading vaccination research firm which has its headquarters in the French city of Lyons. She would not confirm how many children were involved.
Parental consent was not sought for the removal of the thymus gland because it was a routine part of the procedure, consultant paediatrician at Alder Hey, Dr Mark Caswell said.
Family support groups have expressed their horror at the disclosure.
Mr Ian Cohen, who represents more than 150 families affected by the Alder Hey scandal, said he hoped the latest development would be contained within the independent inquiry report.
PA