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Singh S, Cadigan RJ, Moodley K. Research-Related Stakeholders' Perspectives on Sociocultural Considerations in Biobanking Practice in South Africa. Biopreserv Biobank 2023; 21:81-89. [PMID: 35759422 PMCID: PMC9963473 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2021.0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Biobanking practice continues to proliferate in South Africa, yet little is known about how stakeholders engage with social, cultural, and religious considerations in this area of research. This study was undertaken to establish the perspectives of South African stakeholders (researchers, biobankers, clinicians, and research committee members) on sociocultural considerations in biobanking research. Methods: This in-depth exploratory study used semistructured face-to-face or Skype interviews with 25 purposively selected stakeholders involved in the biobanking-related practice. The study sample comprised biobankers, clinicians, researchers, postgraduate students in biobanking research, and research ethics committee members in South Africa. The interview focused on social and cultural challenges facing the biobanking practice in the country. Further probes included stakeholder perspectives on ownership and custodianship of stored biosamples. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data. Results and Discussion: Several themes arose from the data analysis. These included respondents' perceptions of poor understanding of biobanking among research participants and communities; inconsistency in defining ownership and custodianship of biosamples; variability in respondents' understanding of cultural, religious, and social implications of biobanking; the notion of distrust; and building trust in biobanking. There were also inconsistencies in respondents' recognition of social, cultural, and/or religious influences on participant decision-making in biobanking research. Respondents highlighted that a general climate of distrust existed in the biobanking practice in South Africa. Conclusion: There is a need for greater stakeholder awareness of sociocultural considerations in biobanking practice in South Africa. One possible way to achieve this could be through the availability of training programs aimed at improving stakeholder understanding of the sociocultural context for biobanking practice in addition to greater efforts at community engagement with respect to all biobanking activities and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenuka Singh
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rosemary Jean Cadigan
- Department of Social Medicine, Center for Bioethics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Keymanthri Moodley
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
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Light E, Wiersma M, Dive L, Kerridge I, Lipworth W, Stewart C, Kowal E, Marlton P, Critchley C. Biobank networking and globalisation: perspectives and practices of Australian biobanks. AUST HEALTH REV 2021; 45:214-222. [PMID: 33212000 DOI: 10.1071/ah20063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Objective This study examined the practices and attitudes of Australian biobanks regarding access to samples and data, as well as local and global networking with other biobanks. Methods This was a mixed-methods study, including an online survey of Australian biobank administrators and qualitative interviews with survey participants. The survey examined the criteria applied when considering requests to share or network. The interviews explored attitudes and practices regarding sharing and networking. Results Most (90.9%; 30/33) biobanks offered access to their samples and data to others, principally for research (90.6%; 29/32). The most common criteria used to evaluate access requests included ethical oversight (84.8%; 28/33), scientific merit (84.8%; 28/33) and intended use (81.8%; 27/33). Just over two-thirds (69.7%; 23/33) of biobanks participated in Australian networks, and 39.1% (9/23) participated in global networks. Networking took the form of both sharing standardised operating procedures and policies (60.9%) and sharing samples and data (43.5%). Thirteen of the 16 interviewees participated in networks. Motivations for sharing included scientific necessity, sharing expertise and standardising operations and governance. Significant barriers to networking remain, including insufficient resources, inconsistent regulations and procedures, and cultural and political issues to do with the conduct of research. Conclusions Many Australian biobanks are already active participants in various types of global biobanking. If biobanks are to expand and make the most of their involvement in global networks, then important barriers need to be overcome. What is known about the topic? Biobanks that store human tissue and associated data are increasingly forming local, national and global networks. These networks create opportunities for enhancing the utility and sustainability of biobanks, but also raise considerable technical, legal and ethical challenges. What does this paper add? This paper reports findings from a mixed-methods study of Australian biobanks and reveals contemporary practices and perspectives concerning sample and data sharing, as well as local and global networking. It found most Australian biobanks currently take part in these activities. What are the implications for practitioners? Many Australian biobanks are networking in various ways across regional and national borders. A better understanding of current practices and views on significant and emerging issues is relevant to the diverse range of biobank stakeholders involved in any agenda to expand biobank networking, including patients, consumers, clinicians, scientists, policy makers and regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwina Light
- University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, Level 1, Medical Foundation Building (K25), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. ; ; ; ; and Corresponding author.
| | - Miriam Wiersma
- University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, Level 1, Medical Foundation Building (K25), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. ; ; ;
| | - Lisa Dive
- University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, Level 1, Medical Foundation Building (K25), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. ; ; ;
| | - Ian Kerridge
- University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, Level 1, Medical Foundation Building (K25), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. ; ; ;
| | - Wendy Lipworth
- University of Sydney, Sydney Health Ethics, Level 1, Medical Foundation Building (K25), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. ; ; ;
| | - Cameron Stewart
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Law, New Law School Building (F10), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Emma Kowal
- Deakin University, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.
| | - Paula Marlton
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Department of Haematology, 199 Ipswich Rd, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia. ; and The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, Brisbane, Qld 4006, Australia
| | - Christine Critchley
- Deceased. Formerly of Swinburne University of Technology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, 427-451 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Vic. 3122, Australia
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Hermes A, Wiersma M, Kerridge I, Easteal S, Light E, Dive L, Lipworth W. Beyond platitudes: a qualitative study of Australian Aboriginal people's perspectives on biobanking. Intern Med J 2021; 51:1426-1432. [PMID: 33528097 DOI: 10.1111/imj.15223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biobanks are vital resources for genetics and genomics, and it is broadly recognised that for maximal benefit it is essential that they include samples and data from diverse ancestral groups. The inclusion of First Nations people, in particular, is important to prevent biobanking research from exacerbating existing health inequities, and to ensure that these communities share in the benefits arising from research. AIMS To explore the perspectives of Australian Aboriginal people whose tissue - or that of their family members - has been stored in the biobank of the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics (NCIG). METHODS Semi-structured interviews with 42 Aboriginal people from the Titjikala, Galiwinku, Tiwi Islands, Yarrabah, Fitzroy Crossing, Derby, One Arm Point and Mulan communities, as well as a formal discussion with A. Hermes, an Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator at the NCIG who had conducted the interviews. The interviews and the structured discussion were double coded using a procedure informed by Charmaz's outline of grounded theory analysis and Morse's outline of the cognitive basis of qualitative research. RESULTS In this article, we report on A. Hermes' interviews with members from the above Aboriginal communities, as well as on her personal views, experiences, and interpretations of the interviews she conducted with other community members. We found that participation in the NCIG biobank raised issues around broken trust, grief and loss, but also - somewhat unexpectedly - was perceived as a source of empowerment, hope and reconnection. CONCLUSIONS This research reminds us (again) of the need to engage deeply with communities in order to respond appropriately with respect for their cultural values and norms, and to develop culturally relevant policies and processes that enhance the benefits of biobank participation and minimise potential harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azure Hermes
- National Centre for Indigenous Genomics (NCIG), Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Miriam Wiersma
- Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Haematology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ian Kerridge
- Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Haematology Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simon Easteal
- National Centre for Indigenous Genomics (NCIG), Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Edwina Light
- Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lisa Dive
- Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wendy Lipworth
- Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Critchley C, Wiersma M, Lipworth W, Light E, Dive L, Kerridge I. Examining diversity in public willingness to participate in offshore human biobanking: An Australian mixed methods study. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2020; 29:757-769. [PMID: 32806999 DOI: 10.1177/0963662520948034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To ensure their sustainability and scientific utility, human biobanks are networking internationally. Sharing biospecimens and associated data across jurisdictions raise a number of practical, ethical, legal and social challenges that could reduce the publics' willingness to donate their much needed tissue for research purposes. This research aims to identify the impact of biobank location on willingness to donate through a national quantitative survey (n = 750) and 16 in-depth interviews. A latent class analysis in combination with qualitative results suggests that a large proportion of Australians are willing to donate and/or allow their tissue to be stored offshore to help others, but others are reluctant due to uncertainty around foreign ethical and regulatory standards and the loss of potential local benefits. The results highlight for the first time the diversity of public views, and provide important guidance for policy makers and science communicators eager to tailor strategies for specific publics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Critchley
- Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
- University of Tasmania, Australia
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