ABSTRACT
Biobanking is not a new practice, but since the initiation of the Human Genome Project, there has been a global boom in biobanks (Cambon-Thomsen 2004). Biobanks refer to collections of biological samples and attached databases, and come in many different forms. The data may be related to a given individual (clinical data), to a family (genealogy information or ethnic origin) or to a group (population living in the same geographical location or using the same language). A survey of biobanks in 147 institutes in six countries of the European Union (EU) shows that biobanking is increasing in all countries because activities related to genetics are proliferating (Hirtzlin et al. 2003). Biobanks may be used for research and technological development, medical diagnosis, or therapeutic activities. Although large population-based collections only represent one type of biobank, they have drawn attention from the public and the media. More and more large-scale biobanks have been established, and they become the icons of biobanks (Hirtzlin et al. 2003).
