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Atutornu J, Milne R, Costa A, Patch C, Middleton A. Towards equitable and trustworthy genomics research. EBioMedicine 2022; 76:103879. [PMID: 35158310 PMCID: PMC8850759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The representation of traditionally scientifically underserved groups in genomic research continues to be low despite concerns about equity and social justice and the scientific and clinical need. Among the factors that account for this are a lack of trust in the research community and limited diversity in this community. The success of the multiple initiatives that aim to improve representation relies on the willingness of underrepresented populations to make data and samples available for research and clinical use. In this narrative review, we propose that this requires building trust, and set out four approaches to demonstrating trustworthiness, including increasing diversity in the research workforce, and meaningful engagement with underrepresented communities in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. Capacity building globally will ensure that actual and perceived exploitation and ‘helicopter’ research could be eliminated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Atutornu
- Engagement and Society, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; School of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Suffolk, Ipswich, IP4 1QJ
| | - Richard Milne
- Engagement and Society, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Kavli Centre for Ethics, Science and the Public, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, CB2 8PQ
| | - Alesia Costa
- Engagement and Society, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Christine Patch
- Engagement and Society, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Anna Middleton
- Engagement and Society, Wellcome Connecting Science, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Kavli Centre for Ethics, Science and the Public, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, CB2 8PQ.
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Bunnik EM, Timmers M, Bolt IL. Ethical Issues in Research and Development of Epigenome-wide Technologies. Epigenet Insights 2020; 13:2516865720913253. [PMID: 32313869 PMCID: PMC7154555 DOI: 10.1177/2516865720913253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, few scholarly discussions on ethical implications of epigenetics and epigenomics technologies have focused on the current phase of research and development, in which researchers are confronted with real and practical ethical dilemmas. In this article, a responsible research and innovation approach, using interviews and an expert meeting, is applied to a case of epigenomic test development for cervical cancer screening. This article provides an overview of ethical issues presently facing epigenomics researchers and test developers, and discusses 3 sets of issues in depth: (1) informed consent; (2) communication with donors and/or research participants, and (3) privacy and publication of data and research results. Although these issues are familiar to research ethics, some aspects are new and most require reinterpretation in the context of epigenomics technologies. With this article, we aim to start a discussion of the practical ethical issues rising in research and development of epigenomic technologies and to offer guidance for researchers working in the field of epigenetic and epigenomic technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline M Bunnik
- Department of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Timmers
- Department of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ineke Lle Bolt
- Department of Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Coppola L, Cianflone A, Grimaldi AM, Incoronato M, Bevilacqua P, Messina F, Baselice S, Soricelli A, Mirabelli P, Salvatore M. Biobanking in health care: evolution and future directions. J Transl Med 2019; 17:172. [PMID: 31118074 PMCID: PMC6532145 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-1922-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the present review is to discuss how the promising field of biobanking can support health care research strategies. As the concept has evolved over time, biobanks have grown from simple biological sample repositories to complex and dynamic units belonging to large infrastructure networks, such as the Pan-European Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI). Biobanks were established to support scientific knowledge. Different professional figures with varied expertise collaborate to obtain and collect biological and clinical data from human subjects. At same time biobanks preserve the human and legal rights of each person that offers biomaterial for research. METHODS A literature review was conducted in April 2019 from the online database PubMed, accessed through the Bibliosan platform. Four primary topics related to biobanking will be discussed: (i) evolution, (ii) bioethical issues, (iii) organization, and (iv) imaging. RESULTS Most biobanks were founded as local units to support specific research projects, so they evolved in a decentralized manner. The consequence is an urgent needing for procedure harmonization regarding sample collection, processing, and storage. Considering the involvement of biomaterials obtained from human beings, different ethical issues such as the informed consent model, sample ownership, veto rights, and biobank sustainability are debated. In the face of these methodological and ethical challenges, international organizations such as BBMRI play a key role in supporting biobanking activities. Finally, a unique development is the creation of imaging biobanks that support the translation of imaging biomarkers (identified using a radiomic approach) into clinical practice by ensuring standardization of data acquisition and analysis, accredited technical validation, and transparent sharing of biological and clinical data. CONCLUSION Modern biobanks permit large-scale analysis for individuation of specific diseases biomarkers starting from biological or digital material (i.e., bioimages) with well-annotated clinical and biological data. These features are essential for improving personalized medical approaches, where effective biomarker identification is a critical step for disease diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Coppola
- IRCCS SDN, Naples Via Emanuele Gianturco, 11, 80143, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Paolo Bevilacqua
- IRCCS SDN, Naples Via Emanuele Gianturco, 11, 80143, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Simona Baselice
- IRCCS SDN, Naples Via Emanuele Gianturco, 11, 80143, Naples, Italy.,Ospedale Evangelico Betania, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Soricelli
- IRCCS SDN, Naples Via Emanuele Gianturco, 11, 80143, Naples, Italy.,Department of Sport Sciences & Healthiness, University of Naples Parthenope, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Marco Salvatore
- IRCCS SDN, Naples Via Emanuele Gianturco, 11, 80143, Naples, Italy
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