title: Consent for genetic research in the Framingham Heart Study.
abstract: Extensive efforts have been aimed at understanding the genetic underpinnings of complex diseases that affect humans. Numerous genome-wide association studies have assessed the association of genes with human disease, including the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), which genotyped 550,000 SNPs in 9,000 participants. The success of such efforts requires high rates of consent by participants, which is dependent on ethical oversight, communications, and trust between research participants and investigators. To study this we calculated percentages of participants who consented to collection of DNA and to various uses of their genetic information in two FHS cohorts between 2002 and 2009. The data included rates of consent for providing a DNA sample, creating an immortalized cell line, conducting research on various genetic conditions including those that might be considered sensitive, and for notifying participants of clinically significant genetic findings were above 95%. Only with regard to granting permission to share DNA or genetic findings with for-profit companies was the consent rate below 95%. We concluded that the FHS has maintained high rates of retention and consent for genetic research that has provided the scientific freedom to establish collaborations and address a broad range of research questions. We speculate that our high rates of consent have been achieved by establishing frequent and open communications with participants that highlight extensive oversight procedures. Our approach to maintaining high consent rates via ethical oversight of genetic research and communication with study participants is summarized in this report and should be of help to other studies engaged in similar types of research. Published 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Center for Population Studies, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MA 01702, USA. levyd@nih.gov
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Greta Lee
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Splansky
authors.forename: Nicolle K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Strand
authors.forename: Larry D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Atwood
authors.forename: Emelia J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Benjamin
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blease
authors.forename: L Adrienne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cupples
authors.forename: Ralph B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: D'Agostino
authors.forename: Caroline S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kelly-Hayes
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koski
authors.forename: Martin G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Mutalik
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oberacker
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valentino
authors.forename: Ramachandran S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Vasan
authors.forename: Philip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Joanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Murabito
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D036281:Genetic Research; D006321:Heart; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008404:Massachusetts; D010358:Patient Participation; D057240:Patient Preference
chemical_list: D004247:DNA