A Participatory Space Beyond the “Autonomy Versus Property” Dichotomy

The social dimension of biobanking: objectives and challenges

The present article allows to explore, analyze and reflect on the consequences and problems posed by biobanks and attempts to prove the need of social and humanitarian support in establishing and functioning of biobanks as a new type of scientific institutions. The basis of the article is the latest publications devoted to social and humanitarian aspects of biobanking and Russian experience of the initial formation of this subject domain (before the first professional biobanks were established in Russia in the 2010-s, the only highly specialized collections of bio-samples had been registered). The article marks and classifies different aspects of biobanking that objectively demands the participation of specialists in ethics and social sciences. The cases of biobanking development and risks are estimated; the objective need of applied ethics and social sciences specialists' participation in biobanking is proved.

Traceability in stem cell research: from participant sample to induced pluripotent stem cell and back

This paper describes a traceability system developed for the Stem cells for Biological Assays of Novel drugs and prediCtive toxiCology consortium. The system combines records and labels that to biological material across geographical locations and scientific processes from sample donation to induced pluripotent stem cell line. The labeling system uses a unique identification number to link every aliquot of sample at every stage of the reprogramming pathway back to the original donor. Only staff at the clinical recruitment site can reconnect the unique identification number to the identifying details of a specific donor. This ensures the system meets ethical and legal requirements for protecting privacy while allowing full traceability of biological material. The system can be adapted to other projects and for use with different primary sample types.