Strasbourg, 8 June 2012 - The Committee on Bioethics of the Council of Europe organises a symposium on biobanks on 19 and 20 June in Strasbourg. Biobanks are collections of biological materials of human origin and are an important tool for research into the causes, treatment and prevention of diseases. In order to safeguard the fundamental rights of biobank research participants, the Committee of Ministers adopted a Recommendation on Research on Biological Materials of Human Origin in 2006. The symposium will provide a basis for the re-examination of this Recommendation in the light of the experience acquired and in the light of recent developments. Potential future challenges will also be considered.

To ensure representativeness and to promote a practical approach to the issues addressed, the symposium will gather experts from Council of Europe member states and beyond, drawn from all stakeholders in the field, e.g. patient organisations, managers involved in biobank governance and oversight, pharmaceutical companies, and consultants. The European Commission will also be closely associated. More specifically, the symposium will benefit from the outcome of discussions within the European Commission’s Expert Group on Biobanks.

After an overview of the current situation regarding biobanks and a presentation on the understanding and expectations of the general public, debate will focus on three themes: information to and consent of biobank research participants, challenges to their privacy and the confidentiality of their personal data, and responsible governance of biobanks. (more...)
 
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