Biobanking: International norms

Genetic research is moving from the study of heredity, to risk factors in common diseases, to that of normal genetic variation. A similar pattern is emerging in biobanking. From use for diagnosis and treatment or, for pathology and research, banked tissue samples are now seen as valuable for the study of whole populations. Discrepancies exist however, between the socio-ethical and legal frameworks governing biobanks at the international, regional and national levels. Indeed, unless some harmonization is promoted, the proposed benefits may never be achieved.