Ethical, legal and social issues
Biobank Graz data and samples will only be used for ethically and scientifically approved research. An expert legal opinion from Prof. DDr. C. Kopetzki, head of the Institute for Ethics and Law in Medicine, University of Vienna, confirmed that the concept of Biobank Graz is in accordance with all applicable legislation in the areas of public health care, medicine, personal rights, data protection, genetics, civil and criminal law and university policies.
Biobank Graz has been approved by the local ethical committee and by the official Austrian data regulatory board of (DVR). A comprehensive data protection policy has been developed and implemented to protect sample donor privacy. Informed consent has been established by an iterative process involving all interested parties and the ethical committee.
Biobank Graz is regularly reviewed by an International Evaluation and Advisory Board.