SNP MSP Emma Harper - who used to be on a transplant team - wonders about the need to be more explicit about the organs and tissue which can be made available.

She says medicine moves rapidly and now face transplants are possible, which may "freak out" some people.

Dr Robertson again goes back to education and the need to ensure people can choose to donate some things but not others with informed consent.

The opt-out system should be limited to organs for transplantation, Ms Cackett suggests.

SNP MSP Keith Brown asks about the rights of families, who may wish to refuse consent.

Dr Sue Robertson says this is why early discussions are important.

Acknowledging that discussions with families often take place on the worst day of their lives, she suggests that knowing a person's wishes beforehand makes that discussion easier.

Ms Cackett says no practitioner should be put in a place where a donation is forced, so if a family refuses consent it should not go ahead.

Dr Robertson adds that family consent rates in Wales are higher now than before legislation was passed.

Committee convener Lewis Macdonald opens with a question on the general principles of the bill and whether it will increase organ donation.

Dr Sue Robertson from BMA Scotland says legislation alone will not increase the number of organs available, arguing for investment in infrastructure to support it too.

RCN Scotland's Rachel Cackett confirms her organisation supports the bill, but she highlights that many nurses do not feel comfortable talking to patients and families about donation.

There needs to be discussion on the support mechanisms to ensure donation rates do increase, she adds.

Mary Agnew says the GMC has not taken a position on whether the bill is the right approach.

But she says there must be education on the issue, particularly around ethics, alongside any legislation.

The committee is first taking evidence from:

• Dr Sue Robertson of BMA Scotland, external
• Rachel Cackett from Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland, external
• Mary Agnew from the General Medical Council, external (GMC)

Image source, SPL

The health committee is continuing its consideration of the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill, external this morning.

MSPs will hear from medical professionals shortly, but first they will discus an informal evidence session held earlier.

This session sought to gather views from people who have received organs, family members who have authorised the donation of organs, and people currently on the organ donor waiting list.

Read the committee papers here., external

And more about the bill's consideration here. , external

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Tuesday 13 November 2018.

The health committee will continue to take evidence on the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Scotland) Bill, external from medical professionals.

The bill seeks to shift Scotland to an "opt-out" system for organ donation.

Image source, Police Scotland

After a topical question on protecting young offenders in custody, MSPs will debate the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Bill, external for the first time.

This legislation will raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Scotland from eight to 12.

The member’s debate raises concerns about the future of the Texas Instruments semi-conductor plant in Greenock, which is scheduled to close in 2019.