BIOBANKS. ASSOCIATED RISKS AND BENEFITS

Abstract

Biobanks are repositories of human organic material, that have an important role in the clinic. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Health Ethics Unit have a great contribution considering the ideology of a well-functioning biobank. At the European Union, the functioning of biobanks is strictly regulated and research is being sustained by programs financed at a community level. The administration of biobanks brings both advantages and risks socially. To prevent these, international standards have been implemented for biobanks. In the research domain but also in the public health domain, an analysis in accordance with the legal framework must be considered in order to preserve the well-functioning of biobanks.