Basic↦Ethics and Laws↦Human Research Ordinance↦Further-use of Data and Biological Material
Was betrifft es? Warum ist das wichtig?
In these research projects, the Human Research Ordinance (HRO) regulates the further use of already:
- Sampled Biological Material (BM) collected as per routine procedures
- Health-related personal data (HRpD) collected as per routine procedures
The regulatory requirements of these projects are defined under chapter 3 of the HRO.
Regulations apply to:
- The set-up of a project database
- BM / HRpD handling, such as:
- Procuring, merging or collecting (e.g. data collection, handling of BM)
- Storage of BM or HRpD (in a biobank (BB), BB governance, database)
- Accessibility and sharing of BM or HRpD (e.g. MTA and DTA, respectively)
- Data protection and data confidentiality (e.g. protection of participant identity)
- BM / HRpD anonymization and coding procedures including conditions for breaking the code
- Informed Consent (IC) procedures:
- Genetic versus non-genetic data
- Research in the absence of IC
- Ethics Committee (EC) submission and approval requirements
- Notification requirements (e.g. changes / amendment, project completion or discontinuation)
Mehr
Based on the law, research participants must be adequately informed about their rights, including how their data is being used for research. Information is provided to participants either through a general consent form or through information regarding a specific research project (e.g. PIS).
Information to include are:
- The general aim for collecting BM / HRpD
- The anonymization of BM / HRpD and its potential consequences
- The participant right to:
- Dissent to the anonymization of their BM / HRpD
- Withhold or revoke consent (regarding study participation) at any time
- Receive information including relevant results concerning their health (e.g. not possible once samples are anonymised)
- Measures taken to protect BM / HRpD
- The possibility of BM / HRpD being passed on to 3rd parties for research purposes (including international transfers)
Was muss ich befolgen?
As a project leader of a chapter 3 HRO project must:
- Define applicable Informe Consent procedures
- Provide for an HRO compliant database, such as:
- To define how data is recorded in the database (e.g. individual participant Identification (ID)-codes)
- How data is re-identified (e.g. participant identification-log)
- How to protect and track data entry (e.g. access control, accidental disclosure, audit-trail). Access should be reserved for authorized staff
- Define and adapt IC procedures based on:
- How data is recorded in the database (e.g. un-coded, coded, anonymise)
- The inclusion of genetic information. Genetic HRpD follow the same IC procedures / data protection rules as those applicable for BM
- The inclusion of BM / HRpD covered by the General Consent (e.g. procedures might differ depending on participating site(s))
- Report the completion or discontinuation of a research project to EC within 90 days
Prior to sharing anonymized HRpD/BM, ensure an agreements (DTA / MTA) is in place between project leader and:
- Participating site(s), and/or
- Applicable partners (e.g. laboratory)
Wo kann ich Hilfe anfordern?
Your local Research Support Centre↧ can assist you with experienced staff regarding this topic
Basel, Departement Klinische Forschung (DKF), dkf.unibas.ch
Lugano, Clinical Trials Unit (CTU-EOC), ctueoc.ch
Bern, Department of Clinical Research (DCR), dcr.unibe.ch
Geneva, Clinical Research Center (CRC), crc.hug.ch
Lausanne, Clinical Research Center (CRC), chuv.ch
St. Gallen, Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), h-och.ch
Zürich, Clinical Trials Center (CTC), usz.ch
External Links
Swissethics – see in particular
- Templates and checklists
- Study protocols / Further use with consent
References
HumRes: Coordination portal for human research in Switzerland
Swiss Law
HRO – see in particular articles and chapters / sections
- Art. 5 Storage of health-related personal data and biological material
- Art. 24 Definition of further use
- Art. 25-27 Anonymization, coding, breaking the code
- Art. 30 Information on the proposed anonymization
- Chapter 3, section 2. Informed Consent and Information
- Chapter 3, section 3. Approval procedures and notification requirements
- Chapter 3, section 4. Approval procedures and notification requirements in the absence of IC