Difference between revisions of "Biobanking"

Revision as of 01:09, 2 October 2012

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Biobanks are large stores of human biological samples kept for research into genetic and environmental causes of disease. Biobanks allow for tissue, blood, salavia or other genetic materials to be stored, anonymous from the donor.

Background

Different forms of biorepositories have been around for more than 150 years. In early years, they started as small collections in laboratories, and have since grown to become automated facilities which house millions of samples. Throughout this evolution, the process of collecting consistent samples has become an important part of building biobanks, and there are now "best practices" for collecting biospecimens.^[1]

Technological Advances

As biobanks and samples have evolved, the technologies used to store and access samples has also changed - modern biobanks are equipped with monitoring equipment and alarms, as well as back-up generators for power outages^[2] In addition to the tools used to maintain biobanks, the processes that are run on samples have also progressed as technologies improve.

Virtual Biobanks

Virtual biobanks now allow access to samples without viewing the physical samples. Instead, an online request management system allows authorized requesters to obtain sample information remotely. The Clinical Translational and Science Awards (CTSA) Biobank Consortium aims to make an increasingly large virtual consortium biobank that can be used at multiple CSTA centers.The Consortium currently has tested software which is currently in use in a biobank which several institutions participate in, including: the University of Texas Health Center at Houston, the University of Texas Health Center at San Antonio, the University of Michigan, the University of California at Davis, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and Baylor College of Medicine.^[3]

Disease Detection

Genomic Sequencing

While complete sequencing of the human genome is not yet possible, DNA typing can still be used to reliably identify individuals. We can now identify hundreds of different regions within the genome, and by combining these tests, a comprehensive enough DNA profile can be built to identify an individual. With the capabilities of modern day genomic sequencing, the anonymity of anonymous donations is risked; a new ethical issue that will be discussed later.

Ethical Implications

Informed Consent

Privacy

With biobanks becoming more virtual, there are new ethical issues that are introduced. Although technology makes the information stored in biobanks much easier to access for those studying specimens, it also makes it easier for unauthorized persons to access the contents of biobanks.

Anonymity

Anonymity is an importing issue in biobanking - donors allow samples to be taken under the premise that these specimens are kept separately from their names. However, since biobank specimens contain DNA, genomic testing could be done on any sample, which means that it is not necessarily possible to keep samples completely anonymous from their donors. Genetic testing can also reveal information relevant to a donor's health - for example, health conditions that the donor might have. There has been much debate about whether or not donors should be notified about health conditions or diseases that are found in their samples. It is generally accepted that in the case of high risk diseases where early identification greatly increases the chance of recovery, that donors should be notified of conditions, but in cases that are not as high risk, the lines are not as clear. You could end up informing someone of something they didn't want to know, or withholding something they would have wanted to know. This decision is made even harder because people often make different decisions hypothetically than they do when actually placed in the situation.^[4]

See Also

References

1. ↑ Vaught, Jimmie B., Marianne K. Henderson, and Carolyn C. Compton. "Biospecimens and Biorepositories: From Afterthought to Science ." Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention. 21.2 (2012): 253-255. Web. 1 Oct. 2012.
2. ↑ Vaught, Jimmie B., Marianne K. Henderson, and Carolyn C. Compton. "Biospecimens and Biorepositories: From Afterthought to Science ." Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention. 21.2 (2012): 253-255. Web. 1 Oct. 2012.
3. ↑ Olson, Steve, and Adam, C. Berger. Establishing Precompetitive Collaborations to Stimulate Genomics-Driven Drug Development: Workshop Study. Washington D.C.: National Academies Press, 2011. eBook.
4. ↑ United States. Department of Health and Human Services. Workshop on Release of Research Results to Participants in Biospecimen Studies . 2010. Web.

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