Ethical Issues on the Secondary Use of Human Biological Samples: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Medical Research Ethics
• Human Sample Research

Background:

• Human biological samples are crucial for advancing scientific knowledge.
• Research utilizing these samples presents complex ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI).
• Understanding these ELSI is vital for responsible scientific practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review identifying ethical issues in human biological sample research.
• To synthesize existing literature on the ethical considerations of using human biological samples.
• To provide guidance for stakeholders involved in secondary research with human samples.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive search strategy was employed across major scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar).
• Literature screening identified 61 relevant articles from an initial pool of 4067.
• A scoping review methodology was used for the final analysis.

Main Results:

• Multiple ethical issues were identified concerning stakeholder knowledge and awareness.
• Factors influencing donor participation in research were highlighted.
• Challenges related to the consent process and governance of human biological samples were revealed.
• Ethical considerations for secondary use of human biological samples were detailed.

Conclusions:

• The study underscores the multifaceted ethical landscape of human biological sample research.
• Findings offer critical insights for researchers, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), and policymakers.
• Recommendations aim to improve ethical frameworks for secondary research involving human biological samples.