Further use of data in research: Current trends, legal background, and typical problems

Over the past few years, Switzerland has seen a marked increase in the further use of routine clinical data, research data, and biological materials for research purposes. This article aims to shed some light on a few typical problems the cantonal ethics committee of Zurich encounters in the area of the further use of biological material and patient data for research with or without consent. Other difficult questions may arise in emergency situations, in the evaluation of sample size and pre-screening patients for clinical studies, and in situations when a patient revokes consent.