Banking expectations: the promises and problems of biobanks

Author: Tutton, Richard

Source: Personalized Medicine, Volume 4, Number 4, November 2007 , pp. 463-469(7)

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Abstract:

In the last decade, governments, medical charities, pharmaceutical companies and disease advocacy organizations have spent considerable time and money developing biobanks to aid drug discovery and the investigation of disease. This article identifies and assesses the various expectations that have driven the investment in different types of biobanks. It suggests that they have been the focus of unrealistic promises about producing a ``biobank revolution'' that will transform biomedicine and healthcare. We need more modest expectations about what can be achieved, and need to tackle certain conceptual and methodological challenges for biobanks to fulfill their potential.

Keywords: biobanks; biotechnology revolution; expectations; genetic epidemiology; personalized medicine; translational research

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/17410541.4.4.463

Affiliations: 1: Lancaster University, Centre for the Economic & Social Aspects of Genomics (CESAGen), Institute for Advanced Studies, Lancaster, LA1 4YD, UK., Email: r.tutton@lancaster.ac.uk

Publication date: 2007-11-01

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Personalized Medicine translates recent genomic, genetic and proteomic advances into the clinical context. The journal provides an integrated forum for all players involved - academic and clinical researchers, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory authorities, healthcare management organizations, patient organizations and others in the healthcare community.
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