Ethical concerns in the management of DNA banks

With the creation of DNA banks, short and long-term studies can be conducte d on the DNA of many individuals using stored cells and tissues. These stud ies allow an analysis of the pathophysiological impact of genetics and help define individual markers predictive of risk Genome analysis is thus an im portant advance in medical science, providing essential information for est ablishing appropriate measures to slow disease development, limit severity or improve safe recovery. The use of genetic results may however have an ad verse effect in certain situations if the genetic information collected wer e deviated from its purely medical purpose under the influence of social, o ccupational or economic factors. The aim of our study was to analyse the ethical challenges linked to the im plementation of DNA banks in France, particularly to see how to maintain th e concept of individual protection in biomedical research within the patien t-physician relationship in the current context of legal and administrative regulations in France. In this study, we discuss a set of criteria which should be systematically evaluated in information collection and consent procedures prior to blood o r tissue procurement for DNA bank purposes.