Legal and ethical issues in using stored human biological samples for cancer science

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24701040
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Cancer epidemiology and prevention
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: INOUE Yusuke 東京大学, 医科学研究所, 助教 (30378658)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: がん研究 / 人試料 / ヒト試料 / 研究倫理 / バイオバンク / 倫理 / カストディアン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Human biological samples and data in a biobank are common resource for cancer research, and at the same time, it is a big challenge to maintain and manage these resource. In this research, I examined legal and ethical framework in using stored human biological samples as a source of sustainable research infrastructure. My main work was focused on empirical and comparative legal study on the EU countries, mainly targeted on Nordic regulatory framework on the human bioresource handling. My research results showed that roles and responsibilities of a "custodian" became even more important, and that the notion and nature of "custodian ethics" warrant further study. Additionally, donor’s rights and duties on samples or data, such as withdrawal of consent or access to research results, would also be a matter of further discussion.

Free Research Field

公衆衛生学、研究倫理