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Nansumba H, Ssewanyana I, Tai M, Wassenaar D. Role of a regulatory and governance framework in human biological materials and data sharing in National Biobanks: Case studies from Biobank Integrating Platform, Taiwan and the National Biorepository, Uganda. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 4:171. [PMID: 32954012 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15442.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: In the last decade, Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) have set up Biobanks to collect human biological materials and associated data for genomic research and public health purposes. Biobanking gives rise to ethical challenges, such as informed consent, benefit sharing, confidentiality, ownership, commercialization and public participation which are harder to navigate in LMIC settings due to disparities in research infrastructure and capacity. This paper summarizes presentations on Biobank related case studies from two countries, with a focus on challenges in the regulatory and governance framework and suggestions on how to mitigate them. Methods: Two case studies of Biobanks from LMICs have been used . The case studies were presented at the 2018 Global Forum on Bioethics in Research (GFBR) meeting on the "Ethics of data sharing and Biobanking in health research". Results: The case studies show that an integrated, well-regulated platform for human biological materials and data ensures good quality of human biological materials, saves resources and promotes mutual collaboration of work among researchers. National regulatory bodies are required to generate Biobanking guidelines and policies to facilitate guidance to the rapidly changing landscape of science. Discussion: In general, LMICs have weaker research regulatory infrastructure and governance mechanisms for Biobanks than high-income countries. This has increased the fear of exploitation i.e. unfair distribution of risks and benefits. Establishment of Biobanks and producing effective scientific outcomes based on the Biobanking resources is difficult without a proper legislative, regulatory and governance framework. Conclusion: These two case studies from different LMICs settings show that although in both settings there is strong awareness of the scientific and population health value of Biobanks and strong commitment to their establishment, regulatory and ethical guidance show gaps that need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hellen Nansumba
- Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL), Ministry of Health of Uganda, Kampala, P.O.BOX 7272, Uganda
| | - Isaac Ssewanyana
- Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL), Ministry of Health of Uganda, Kampala, P.O.BOX 7272, Uganda
| | - Micheal Tai
- Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Ethics Governance Council (EGC), Taiwan Biobank, Taiwan, Taiwan
| | - Douglas Wassenaar
- South African Research Ethics Training Initiative (SARETI), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
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Nansumba H, Ssewanyana I, Tai M, Wassenaar D. Role of a regulatory and governance framework in human biological materials and data sharing in National Biobanks: Case studies from Biobank Integrating Platform, Taiwan and the National Biorepository, Uganda. Wellcome Open Res 2020; 4:171. [PMID: 32954012 PMCID: PMC7479498 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15442.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: In the last decade, Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) have set up Biobanks to collect human biological materials and associated data for genomic research and public health purposes. Biobanking gives rise to ethical challenges, such as informed consent, benefit sharing, confidentiality, ownership, commercialization and public participation which are harder to navigate in LMIC settings due to disparities in research infrastructure and capacity. This paper summarizes presentations on Biobank related case studies from two countries, with a focus on challenges in the regulatory and governance framework and suggestions on how to mitigate them. Methods: Two case studies of Biobanks from LMICs have been used . The case studies were presented at the 2018 Global Forum on Bioethics in Research (GFBR) meeting on the "Ethics of data sharing and Biobanking in health research". Results: The case studies show that an integrated, well-regulated platform for human biological materials and data ensures good quality of human biological materials, saves resources and promotes mutual collaboration of work among researchers. National regulatory bodies are required to generate Biobanking guidelines and policies to facilitate guidance to the rapidly changing landscape of science. Discussion: In general, LMICs have weaker research regulatory infrastructure and governance mechanisms for Biobanks than high-income countries. This has increased the fear of exploitation i.e. unfair distribution of risks and benefits. Establishment of Biobanks and producing effective scientific outcomes based on the Biobanking resources is difficult without a proper legislative, regulatory and governance framework. Conclusion: These two case studies from different LMICs settings show that although in both settings there is strong awareness of the scientific and population health value of Biobanks and strong commitment to their establishment, regulatory and ethical guidance show gaps that need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hellen Nansumba
- Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL), Ministry of Health of Uganda, Kampala, P.O.BOX 7272, Uganda
| | - Isaac Ssewanyana
- Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL), Ministry of Health of Uganda, Kampala, P.O.BOX 7272, Uganda
| | - Micheal Tai
- Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Ethics Governance Council (EGC), Taiwan Biobank, Taiwan, Taiwan
| | - Douglas Wassenaar
- South African Research Ethics Training Initiative (SARETI), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
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Larsson A. From cold fusion to cold storage: A comparative case study of how organizational champions caused two scientific megaprojects to fail. Account Res 2020; 27:57-79. [PMID: 31905292 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2019.1709449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
"Big science" has prompted scientific collaboration, ultimately leading to multidisciplinary, co-operative science. This has paved the way for organizational "champions", leading experts with the ability of driving organizational change. This study investigates the involvement of how "champions" contributed to the rapid failures of the 1980s case of the cold fusion initiative NCFI in Utah, and the 2000s case of BBMRI.se, the Swedish node of a biobank harmonization initiative, and how these two examples would become "failed scientific megaprojects". This descriptive comparative case study has utilized available literature and documents covering the two megaprojects, with some supplemental interviews. The study shows that "champions" indeed enable research but simultaneously also risk becoming the downfall of the collaborative endeavors that have been set up. Moreover, this study has been able to uncover and analyze some of the most common types of organizational failure found in the two failed scientific megaprojects investigated. The common lesson inferred from both cases is that the unquestionable trust placed into some of the "champions" led to a lack of procedural transparency and professional candidness, ultimately leading to a loss of trust from their respective funding bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Larsson
- Karolinska Institute, Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM), Stockholm, Sweden.,Stockholm School of Economics Institute of Research (SIR), Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm, Sweden
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Procurement and Storage of Pleural and Peritoneal Fluids for Biobanking. Methods Mol Biol 2018. [PMID: 30539441 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8935-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
There is limited information regarding the biobanking of pleural and peritoneal fluids that might supplement storage of pulmonary and thoracic tissue biospecimens. Such fluids are sometimes collected for clinical analyses and may have uses that obviate or supplement tissue samples. There has been a growing interest in using liquid biopsies as they are less invasive and may be amenable to analyses that guide targeted therapies. Integrating cytology and biobanking approaches, we describe techniques that may be used for collecting and banking pleural and peritoneal fluids.
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Matimba A, Tybring G, Chitereka J, Zinyama-Gutsire R, Dandara C, Bürén E, Dhoro M, Masimirembwa C. Practical Approach to Biobanking in Zimbabwe: Establishment of an Inclusive Stakeholder Framework. Biopreserv Biobank 2016; 14:440-446. [DOI: 10.1089/bio.2015.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Matimba
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Gunnel Tybring
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Collet Dandara
- Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Eva Bürén
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Milcah Dhoro
- African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Wilkins Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Collen Masimirembwa
- African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Wilkins Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas J. Astrin
- Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Bonn, Germany
| | - Fay Betsou
- Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg (IBBL), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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Chen H, Pang T. A call for global governance of biobanks. Bull World Health Organ 2014; 93:113-7. [PMID: 25883404 PMCID: PMC4339960 DOI: 10.2471/blt.14.138420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2014] [Revised: 09/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The progress in genomic research has led to increased sampling and storage of biological samples in biobanks. Most biobanks are located in high-income countries, but the landscape is rapidly changing as low- and middle-income countries develop their own. When establishing a biobank in any setting, researchers have to consider a series of ethical, legal and social issues beyond those in traditional medical research. In addition, many countries may have inadequate legislative structures and governance frameworks to protect research participants and communities from unfair distribution of risks and benefits. International collaborations are frequently being created to support the establishment and proper running of biobanks in low- and middle-income countries. However, these collaborations cause cross-border issues – such as benefit sharing and data access. It is thus necessary to define and implement a fair, equitable and feasible biobank governance framework to ensure a fair balance of risks and benefits among all stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidan Chen
- College of Humanities and Development Studies, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Tikki Pang
- Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, 469 C Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259772, Singapore
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