Consent to Biobank Research: Facing Up to the Challenge of Globalisation

Abstract

There is broad agreement that open-ended consent to research involving banked specimens and associated data is morally justifiable. Importantly, this approach is justifiable if, and only if, clear mechanisms are in place for 1.ethical and scientific oversight, and 2. ongoing communication with tissue donors. The problem for those in favour of open-ended consent for research is that biobanks have the greatest potential as resources for translational research if they are networked - both nationally and internationally. And as networks, by definition, require that custodianship of samples be relinquished at some point, this makes it difficult, if not impossible, to guarantee sound ethical and scientific oversight and to promise ongoing communication with donors. Unless the reality of globalisation is addressed head on, even the most thoughtful ethical proposals, such as that put forward in this article, will soon be obsolete.