TY - JOUR

T1 - Banking expectations

T2 - the promises and problems of biobanks

AU - Tutton, Richard

PY - 2007/11

Y1 - 2007/11

N2 - In the last decade, governments, medical charities, pharmaceutical companies and disease advocacy organizations have spent considerable time and money developing biobanks to aid drug discovery and the investigation of disease. This article identifies and assesses the various expectations that have driven the investment in different types of biobanks. It suggests that they have been the focus of unrealistic promises about producing a 'biobank revolution' that will transform biomedicine and healthcare. We need more modest expectations about what can be achieved, and need to tackle certain conceptual and methodological challenges for biobanks to fulfill their potential.

AB - In the last decade, governments, medical charities, pharmaceutical companies and disease advocacy organizations have spent considerable time and money developing biobanks to aid drug discovery and the investigation of disease. This article identifies and assesses the various expectations that have driven the investment in different types of biobanks. It suggests that they have been the focus of unrealistic promises about producing a 'biobank revolution' that will transform biomedicine and healthcare. We need more modest expectations about what can be achieved, and need to tackle certain conceptual and methodological challenges for biobanks to fulfill their potential.

KW - biobanks

KW - biotechnology revolution

KW - expectations

KW - genetic epidemiology

KW - personalized medicine

KW - translational research

KW - GENETIC DATABASES

KW - COMPLEX DISEASES

KW - EPIDEMIOLOGY

KW - ASSOCIATION

KW - PROJECT

U2 - 10.2217/17410541.4.4.463

DO - 10.2217/17410541.4.4.463

M3 - Journal article

VL - 4

SP - 463

EP - 469

JO - Personalized Medicine

JF - Personalized Medicine

SN - 1741-0541

IS - 4

ER -