Genetic databank launches ethics framework

The UK Biobank, an organisation that plans to collect genetic data from half a million volunteers aged 45-69, has launched a draft ethics and governance framework to address concerns such as confidentiality and the use of its data.

The databank aims to link its genetic data with lifestyle information and the subsequent medical history of the volunteers. The organisers hope that the resulting data can be used for research into causes of common diseases, for public health purposes, and to develop new treatments.

Since the launch of the databank last year, however, …