What is it? Why is it important?

The declaration of Taipei covers ethical principles in human research related to the use of health databases and biobanks. It includes research that involves:

 

The declaration:

  • Applies to research beyond individual patient care
  • Is in concordance with the Declaration of Helsinki by providing additional principles on health databases and biobanks (e.g. the collection, storage, and use of identifiable data and biological material)
  • Provides ethical guidelines regarding the governance of biobanks and health databases, with the aim to protect participants and their data
  • Aims to protect the dignity, autonomy, privacy, and confidentiality of research participants
  • Requires research to contribute to the benefit of society, in particular public health objectives
  • Is not legally binding

More

A health database is a repository used to collect, organise, and store information on individuals and populations (e.g. demographics, diagnostics, medical treatment, genetic information).

A biobank is a collection of biological material including any associated data.

With biological material, one refers to a chemical substance present or produced in a living individual. A sample can provide both biological information and genetic data.

What do I need to do?

As a SP-INV and Site-INV familiarise yourself with the Declaration.

 

Ensure participants:

  • Are adequately informed about the multiple and infinite use of their study data and/or biological material
  • Freely provide consent in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki
  • Know about their right to withdraw consent for their data to be collected and used for research
  • Know about their right to request information regarding their collected data
  • Can trust that their data and biological material are handled and stored in a manner that guarantees their confidentiality

 

To promote quality and reliability make sure the governance of your biobank, including the set-up of the biobanking database, complies with the principles of Taipei.

More

Governance is the organisation and set-up of a health database and/or biobank to ensure that:

  • Individual rights prevail over the interest of stakeholders and science
  • Relevant information is made available to the public
  • The custodian of the health database and biobank:
    • Consults and engages with individuals and their communities
    • Is accessible and responsive to all stakeholders

 

The declaration primarily addresses physicians, but encourages others using data or biological material from health databases and biobanks to adopt its principles.

Where can I get help?

Your local CTU can support you with experienced staff regarding this topic

References

The World Medical Association – see in particular

  • Declaration of Taipei: Research on health databases, big data and biobanks
  • Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical Principles for Medical Research involving Human Subjects

PMID: 33324212 - Publication

  • Linking the declarations of Helsinki and of Taipei: Critical challenges of future-oriented research ethics
Abbreviations
  • CTU – Clinical Trials Unit
  • Site-INV – Site Investigator
  • PMID – PubMed Identifier
  • SP-INV – Sponsor-Investigator
  • WMA – World Medical Association
Basic ↦ Ethics and Laws ↦ Principles of Ethics Research ↦ Declaration of Taipei
Study
Basic

Provides some background knowledge and basic definitions

Basic Monitoring
Basic Drug or Device
Concept

Starts with a study idea

Ends after having assessed and evaluated study feasibility

Concept Statistic Methodology
Concept Drug or Device
Development

Starts with confidence that the study is feasible

Ends after having received ethics and regulatory approval

Development Drug or Device
Set-Up

Starts with ethics and regulatory approval

Ends after successful study initiation

Set-Up Ethics and Laws
Set-Up Statistic Methodology
Set-Up Quality and Risk
Set-Up Drug or Device
Conduct

Starts with participant recruitment

Ends after the last participant has completed the last study visit

Conduct Statistic Methodology
Conduct Drug or Device
Completion

Starts with last study visit completed

Ends after study publication and archiving

Completion Drug or Device
Current Path (click to copy): Basic ↦ Ethics and Laws ↦ Principles of Ethics Research ↦ Declaration of Taipei

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