ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the issues relevant to the Privacy in Medical Research and Law (PRIVIREAL) project and outlines the questionnaire addressed to the participants in this project. There are very few scientific articles published in Estonia that analyse personal data protection issues. The Estonian Constitution recognizes the right to informational self-determination. Despite the fact that there is no specific provision stipulating the individual right to data protection, Article 19 of the Constitution provides for a general right to self-determination. The Estonian Parliament Riigikogu adopted the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) on 12 June 1996. The Act contains regulations regarding the protection of personal data of deceased persons. According to the definition of personal data, the medium or carrier of the personal data is not a distinguishing element of personal data. According to the Directive, Member States may, having set forth appropriate safeguards, exempt processing of personal data for scientific purposes from certain requirements of the Directive.
