RESEARCH ETHICS AND CONSENT ON THE COLLECTION AND USE OF HUMAN BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS: A SINGAPORE PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Biobanking of residual human biological materials (HBMs), usually obtained from surgeries, is crucial for the advancement of science and public health and improves current treatment of various diseases. However, biobanking of residual HBMs comes with ethical, social and legal implications (ELSI) that require attention. This thesis will focus on residual HBMs tissue repository, which is considered as a biobank.

The current ethical paradigm and academic debates have focused on informed consent and ownership of residual HBMs, and subsequent discussion on the rights of patients through benefits sharing, returning of results from the research and profit sharing when the residual HBMs are commercialised. In this thesis, I will attempt to critique this paradigm and its? application in the Singapore context.

A key aim of this thesis is to contribute to the knowledge with regards to patients? knowledge, attitudes, preferences and expectations in donating residual HBMs for research in Singapore.