The 2018 Advancing Ethical Research Conference (AER18) was my second PRIM&R conference, and this year I came armed with questions for specific organizations and agencies. At the top of my list was a question regarding the 2015 NIH Genomic Data Sharing (GDS) Policy: When children’s data is submitted to a national genomic data sharing repository, such as the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP), what are the consent expectations when those subjects reach the age of majority? Read more
On October 10, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published a Request for Information (RFI) from the public on Proposed Provisions for a Draft Data Management and Sharing Policy for NIH Funded or Supported Research. According to the NIH, it will take into account the feedback received as it develops a draft of a new NIH policy for data management and sharing. That draft will also be open for public comment, at a future date. Comments on this first stage of policymaking, the proposed provisions, are due December 10, 2018. Read more
On May 25, 2018, the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) became effective in the 28 member states of the EU and the three additional countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) that, together with the EU member states, constitute the European Economic Area (EEA). (It replaces the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC.) The GDPR affects US-based life science and academic research communities engaged in various arrangements, such as US-sponsored clinical trials occurring in the EEA, or studies that involve transferring personal data from the EEA to the US. To comply with the GDPR, all institutions need to be equipped with strategies for determining whether the GDPR will apply to them and, if it applies, how to process and transfer personal data to the US lawfully. Read more
The potential benefits of data sharing for secondary research purposes are well recognized, but certain ethical barriers must be addressed before these benefits can be fully realized. American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals and tribes that participate in research are often interested in sharing their data when doing so will help answer important questions or contribute to improved population health outcomes, and when appropriate protections are in place. While perspectives on data sharing agreements and processes can vary among AI/AN individuals and tribes, some views are consistent and much can be learned by examining how specific studies have navigated data sharing in ways that both respect tribal sovereignty and meet the overall study goals. What best practices, lessons, and examples exist for IRBs, researchers, and funders who wish to include a data sharing component in research with AI/AN individuals and tribes? Read more
On March 1, 2017, PRIM&R held a day-long Ethics of Data Access, Use, and Sharing for Human Subjects Research Workshop in partnership with the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University (MRCT Center). I am pleased to announce that the proceedings and other information from the day are now available on PRIM&R’s website. Read more
