ABSTRACT
Long-term storage of biological material containing deoxyribose nucleic acid and data pertaining to stored biological material is by no means new. Genetic disorders have certain characteristics that are highly relevant to the banking of actual biological material as well as of data from genetic analyses. Banking of biological material from deceased persons makes it possible to include exact genetic information on such individuals in genetic research, be it in the area of genetic linkage studies, molecular epidemiology, and study of the natural course of disease or pharmacogenomics. Although the storage for several decennia of biological specimens has in general not led to major problems, there are ethical problems relating to the storage of specimens as well as test results. Banking of biological specimens for the purpose of genetic analysis is useful for diagnosis, prognostication, therapeutic consideration and preventative efforts in medical genetics services, and offers possibilities for research that may lead to important new progress.
