Article 3

Abstract

Brenda Recchia Jeffers, PhD, RN Associate Professor Mennonite College of Nursing Illinois State University Normal, Illinois THE EXPLOSION of research and technology that has accompanied the human genome project necessitates examining the impact of these developments on research risks and the ethical treatment of research participants in studies using human tissue samples and biological materials as the unit of data analysis. Because of techniques that enable extraction of DNA from minute biological samples, genetic tests potentially can be performed on any tissue sample collected and stored. 1 According to estimates from the National Bioethics Advisory Commission, 2 there are more than 282 million human biological specimens housed in laboratories, tissue repositories, DNA banks, and medical centers across the United States. The number of specimens stored is expected to increase by tens of millions over the next decade. 2 The collection,