Title |
Genes, cells, and biobanks: Yes, there’s still a consent problem
|
---|---|
Published in |
PLoS Biology, July 2017
|
DOI | 10.1371/journal.pbio.2002654 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Timothy Caulfield, Blake Murdoch |
Abstract |
From a research perspective, the interest in biobanking continues to intensify. Governments and industry have invested heavily in biobanks, as exemplified by initiatives like the United Kingdom Biobank and United States' Precision Medicine Initiative. But despite this enthusiasm, many profound legal and ethical challenges remain unresolved. Indeed, there continues to be disagreements about how best to obtain consent and the degree and nature of control that research participants retain over donated samples and health information. Emerging social trends-including concerns about commercialization and perceived rights of continuing control ("biorights")-seem likely to intensify these issues. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 29 | 20% |
Canada | 18 | 12% |
United Kingdom | 13 | 9% |
Australia | 7 | 5% |
Austria | 2 | 1% |
France | 2 | 1% |
South Africa | 2 | 1% |
India | 2 | 1% |
Comoros | 1 | <1% |
Other | 8 | 5% |
Unknown | 63 | 43% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 95 | 65% |
Scientists | 38 | 26% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 10 | 7% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 4 | 3% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 144 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 23 | 16% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 21 | 15% |
Student > Master | 19 | 13% |
Student > Bachelor | 12 | 8% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 9 | 6% |
Other | 26 | 18% |
Unknown | 34 | 24% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 26 | 18% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 17 | 12% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 17 | 12% |
Social Sciences | 7 | 5% |
Economics, Econometrics and Finance | 5 | 3% |
Other | 32 | 22% |
Unknown | 40 | 28% |