An empirical survey on biobanking of human genetic material and data in six EU countries

Publikation: Beiträge in ZeitschriftenÜbersichtsarbeitenForschung

Authors

  • Isabelle Hirtzlin
  • Christine Dubreuil
  • Nathalie Préaubert
  • Jenny Duchier
  • Brigitte J. Jansen
  • Jürgen Simon
  • Paula Lobato de Faria
  • Anna Perez-Lezaun
  • Bert Visser
  • Garrath D. Williams
  • Anne Cambon-Thomsen

Biobanks correspond to different situations: research and technological development, medical diagnosis or therapeutic activities. Their status is not clearly defined. We aimed to investigate human biobanking in Europe, particularly in relation to organisational, economic and ethical issues in various national contexts. Data from a survey in six EU countries (France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK) were collected as part of a European Research Project examining human and non-human biobanking (EUROGENBANK, coordinated by Professor JC Galloux). A total of 147 institutions concerned with biobanking of human samples and data were investigated by questionnaires and interviews. Most institutions surveyed belong to the public or private non-profit-making sectors, which have a key role in biobanking. This activity is increasing in all countries because few samples are discarded and genetic research is proliferating. Collections vary in size, many being small and only a few very large. Their purpose is often research, or research and healthcare, mostly in the context of disease studies. A specific budget is very rarely allocated to biobanking and costs are not often evaluated. Samples are usually provided free of charge and gifts and exchanges are the common rule. Good practice guidelines are generally followed and quality controls are performed but quality procedures are not always clearly explained. Associated data are usually computerised (identified or identifiable samples). Biobankers generally favour centralisation of data rather than of samples. Legal and ethical harmonisation within Europe is considered likely to facilitate international collaboration. We propose a series of recommendations and suggestions arising from the EUROGENBANK project.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
ZeitschriftEuropean Journal of Human Genetics
Jahrgang11
Ausgabenummer6
Seiten (von - bis)475-488
Anzahl der Seiten14
ISSN1018-4813
DOIs
PublikationsstatusErschienen - 01.06.2003

DOI