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Critchley CR, Fleming J, Nicol D, Marlton P, Ellis M, Devereux L, Bruce G, Kerridge I. Identifying the nature and extent of public and donor concern about the commercialisation of biobanks for genomic research. Eur J Hum Genet 2021; 29:503-511. [PMID: 33479473 PMCID: PMC7940627 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-020-00746-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Various forms of private investment are considered necessary for the sustainability of biobanks, yet pose significant challenges to public trust. To manage this tension, it is vital to identify the concerns of relevant stakeholders to ensure effective and acceptable policy and practice. This research examines the aspects of commercialisation that are of most concern to the Australian public (n = 800) and patients who had donated their tissue to two large disease specific (cancer) public biobanks (n = 564). Overall, we found a commercialisation effect (higher support for public relative to private) in relation to funding, research location and access to stored biospecimens. The effect was strongest for research locations and access compared to funding. A latent class analysis revealed the pattern of concern differed, with the majority (34.1%) opposing all aspects of commercialisation, a minority supporting all (15.7%), one quarter (26.8%) opposing some (sharing and selling tissue) but not others (research locations and funding), and a group who were unsure about most aspects but opposed selling tissue (23.5%). Patient donors were found to be more accepting of and unsure about most aspects of commercialisation. Members of the (general) public who were motivated to participate in biobanking were more likely to oppose some aspects while supporting others, while those who indicated they would not donate to a biobank were more likely to oppose all aspects of commercialisation. The results suggest that approaches to policy, engagement and awareness raising need to be tailored for different publics and patient groups to increase participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine R Critchley
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Law and Genetics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Jennifer Fleming
- Sydney Health Ethics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Dianne Nicol
- Centre for Law and Genetics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Paula Marlton
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Megan Ellis
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lisa Devereux
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Gordana Bruce
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ian Kerridge
- Sydney Health Ethics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Then SN, Lipworth W, Stewart C, Kerridge I. A framework for ethics review of applications to store, reuse and share tissue samples. Monash Bioeth Rev 2021; 39:115-124. [PMID: 33635509 DOI: 10.1007/s40592-021-00126-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The practice of biobank networking-where biobanks are linked together, and researchers share human tissue samples-is an increasingly common practice both domestically and internationally. The benefits from networking in this way are well established. However, there is a need for ethical oversight in the sharing of human tissue. Ethics committees will increasingly be called upon to approve the sharing of tissue and data with other researchers, often via biobanks, and little guidance currently exists for such committees. In this paper, we provide a structured approach to the ethical review of on-sharing of data and tissue for research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shih-Ning Then
- Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Law School, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Wendy Lipworth
- Sydney Health Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Cameron Stewart
- Faculty of Law, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Ian Kerridge
- Sydney Health Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
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Lermen D, Gwinner F, Bartel-Steinbach M, Mueller SC, Habermann JK, Balwir MB, Smits E, Virgolino A, Fiddicke U, Berglund M, Åkesson A, Bergstrom A, Leander K, Horvat M, Snoj Tratnik J, Posada de la Paz M, Castaño Calvo A, Esteban López M, von Briesen H, Zimmermann H, Kolossa-Gehring M. Towards Harmonized Biobanking for Biomonitoring: A Comparison of Human Biomonitoring-Related and Clinical Biorepositories. Biopreserv Biobank 2020; 18:122-135. [PMID: 32281895 PMCID: PMC7185365 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2019.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) depends on high-quality human samples to identify status and trends in exposure and ensure comparability of results. In this context, much effort has been put into the development of standardized processes and quality assurance for sampling and chemical analysis, while effects of sample storage and shipment on sample quality have been less thoroughly addressed. To characterize the currently applied storage and shipment procedures within the consortium of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), which aims at harmonization of HBM in Europe, a requirement analysis based on data from an online survey was conducted. In addition, the online survey was addressed to professionals in clinical biobanking represented by members of the European, Middle Eastern and African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking (ESBB) to identify the current state-of-the-art in terms of sample storage and shipment. Results of this survey conducted in these two networks were compared to detect processes with potential for optimization and harmonization. In general, many similarities exist in sample storage and shipment procedures applied by ESBB members and HBM4EU partners and many requirements for ensuring sample quality are already met also by HBM4EU partners. Nevertheless, a need for improvement was identified for individual steps in sample storage, shipment, and related data management with potential impact on sample and data quality for HBM purposes. Based on these findings, recommendations for crucial first steps to further strengthen sample quality, and thus foster advancement in HBM on a pan-European level are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Lermen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- European, Middle Eastern & African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking, Brussels, Belgium
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Frederik Gwinner
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Martina Bartel-Steinbach
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Sabine C. Mueller
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Jens K. Habermann
- European, Middle Eastern & African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking, Brussels, Belgium
- University Clinical Center Schleswig-Holstein, University of Luebeck, Translational Surgical Oncology and Biobanking, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Matharoo-Ball Balwir
- European, Middle Eastern & African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking, Brussels, Belgium
- Nottingham University Hospital, Translational Research and Nottingham Health Science Biobank (NHSB), Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Elke Smits
- European, Middle Eastern & African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking, Brussels, Belgium
- Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Division of Medical Director, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Ana Virgolino
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ulrike Fiddicke
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
| | - Marika Berglund
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agneta Åkesson
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Bergstrom
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Leander
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Milena Horvat
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Snoj Tratnik
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Environmental Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Manuel Posada de la Paz
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Institute of Rare Diseases Research, CIBERER, EuroBiobanK, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Argelia Castaño Calvo
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental CNSA, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Marta Esteban López
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental CNSA, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Hagen von Briesen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Heiko Zimmermann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Biomonitoring & Biobanks, Sulzbach, Germany
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
| | - Marike Kolossa-Gehring
- The European Human-Biomonitoring Initiative HBM4EU
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
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Australia: regulating genomic data sharing to promote public trust. Hum Genet 2018; 137:583-591. [PMID: 30116956 PMCID: PMC6132638 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-018-1914-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The regulation of genomic data sharing in Australia is a confusing mix of common law, legislation, ethical guidelines, and codes of practice. Beyond privacy laws, which only apply to genomic data that meets the definition of personal information, the key regulatory lever is the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) National Statement for Ethical Conduct in Human Research (“National Statement”) (2007). Compliance with the National Statement is a requirement for institutions to apply to the NHMRC for funding, and includes—among other things—requirements for review of most genomic research by Human Research Ethics Committees. The sections of the National Statement specifying requirements for research with human genomic data are currently under review, including proposed new requirements addressing the return of genetic research findings and oversight of transfer agreements. Ensuring the willingness of Australians to donate their genomic information and participate in medical research will require clarification and harmonisation of the applicable regulatory framework, along with reforms to ensure that these regulations reflect the conditions necessary to promote ongoing public trust in researchers and institutions.
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Drafting biological material transfer agreement: a ready-to-sign model for biobanks and biorepositories. Int J Biol Markers 2016; 31:e211-7. [PMID: 26868333 DOI: 10.5301/jbm.5000190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Due to the scarcity of publications, guidelines, and harmonization among national regulations, biobanks and institutions face practical and theoretical issues when drafting a material transfer agreement (MTA), the fundamental tool to regulate the successful exchange of biosamples and information. Frequently researchers do not execute MTAs because of a general lack of knowledge about this topic. It is thus critical to develop new models to prevent loss of traceability and opportunities both for researchers and biobanks, their exposure to various risks, and delays in transferring biomaterials. METHODS Through the involvement of institutional groups and professionals with multidisciplinary expertise, we have drawn up a ready-to-sign MTA for the CRO-Biobank (the biobank of the National Cancer Institute, CRO, Aviano), a standardized template that can be employed as a ready-to-use model agreement. RESULTS The team identified the essential components to be included in the MTA, which comprise i) permissions, liability and representations; ii) custodianship and distribution limitations; iii) appropriate use of materials, including biosafety concerns; iv) confidentiality, non-disclosure, and publications; v) intellectual property protection for both the provider and recipient. CONCLUSIONS This paper aims to be an unabridged report (among the few works in the existing literature) providing a description of the whole process related to the formation of an MTA. Biobanks and institutions may consider adopting our ready-to-sign form as a standard model. The article discusses the most important issues tackled during the drafting of the document, thus proposing an operative approach for other institutions that face the same problems.
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Nicolás P. Spanish Regulation of Biobanks. THE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS : A JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS 2015; 43:801-815. [PMID: 26711419 DOI: 10.1111/jlme.12321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Spanish legal framework for the processing of samples and data with biomedical research purposes has sought to encourage scientific research, protect the right to freedom of research, and guarantee the interests of donors. The pillars of this legal framework are firstly, the duty to inform the donor in order to ensure that he or she is aware of the importance and the consequences of the donation; secondly, the control by ethics committees (RECs and External Ethics Committees of biobanks); and third, the supplementary application of the general rules on data protection. There are three different possibilities for processing samples (project, collection, and biobanks) - each one reinforcing specific consent or requiring other added guarantees. This system, which is applied consistently in the entire national territory, is producing very satisfactory results. However, there are some issues that need further policies or legal development, as the specific conditions and procedures for the international transfer of samples and data with research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Nicolás
- Research fellow in the Public Law Department, Faculty of Law, at the University of the Basque Country in Vizcaya, Spain. She is also the Research Projects Coordinator of the Interuniversity Chair in Law and the Human Genome at the University of Deusto, University of the Basque Country, in Vizcaya, Spain (Research Group IT581-13 UPV/EHU of the Basque University System). She teaches Criminal Law in the Faculty of Law of the University of the Basque Country
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