Public Attitude towards Biobanking: An Italian University Survey

Chiara Aleni (), Carmela Rinaldi, Valentina Bettio, Eleonora Mazzucco, Annamaria Antona, Cristina Meini, Emiliano Loria, Paolo Bonvicini, Silvia Vittoria Cracas, Silvia Caristia, Antonio Rimedio, Fabrizio Faggiano, Daniela Ferrante and Daniela Capello
Additional contact information
Chiara Aleni: Department of Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, University of Piemonte Orientale, 13100 Vercelli, Italy
Carmela Rinaldi: “Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
Valentina Bettio: UPO Biobank, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
Eleonora Mazzucco: UPO Biobank, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
Annamaria Antona: Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
Cristina Meini: Department of Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, University of Piemonte Orientale, 13100 Vercelli, Italy
Emiliano Loria: Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
Paolo Bonvicini: Biobanks and Complex Data Management, University of Cote d’Azur, 06108 Nice, France
Silvia Vittoria Cracas: Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
Silvia Caristia: Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
Antonio Rimedio: Ethics Committee of the “Maggiore della Carità” Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy
Fabrizio Faggiano: Department of Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, University of Piemonte Orientale, 13100 Vercelli, Italy
Daniela Ferrante: Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
Daniela Capello: UPO Biobank, University of Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 20, 1-10

Abstract: Biobanks have established a critical role in biomedical research by collecting, preserving, organizing, and disseminating biospecimens and related health data, contributing to precision medicine development. Participation in biobanks is influenced by several factors, such as trust in institutions and scientists, knowledge about biobanking, and the consideration of benefit sharing. Understanding public attitudes, fears, and concerns toward biobanking is fundamental to designing targeted interventions to increase trust towards biobanks. The aim of our study was to investigate the level of knowledge and perception of biobanks in students and personnel of the University of Piemonte Orientale. An online questionnaire was designed and administered via e-mail. A total of 17,758 UPO personnel and students were invited to participate in the survey, and 1521 (9.3%) subjects completed the survey. The results showed that 65.0% of the participants were aware of the term “biobank” and knew what the activity of a biobank was, and 76.3% of subjects were willing to provide biospecimens to a research biobank, whereas 67.3% of the respondents were willing to contribute, in addition to biospecimens, their health and lifestyle data. Concerns were raised about the confidentiality of the information (25.6%) and the commercial use of the samples (25.0%). In conclusion, participants were aware of the role that biobanks play in research and were eager to participate for the sake of furthering scientific research. Still, several concerns need to be addressed regarding the confidentiality of the data along with the commercial use of the samples and associated data.

Keywords: biobanks; survey; population (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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