title: The Bio-PIN: a concept to improve biobanking.
abstract: A new biobanking method is proposed, wherein samples and associated data would be deposited anonymously and labelled using a PIN code that is produced on the basis of personal biological characteristics, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms. The code would be the 'Bio-PIN' to uniquely distinguish the sample depositors, plus their samples and data. This method could help to diminish several long-discussed ethical, legal and societal problems in biobanking regarding privacy, informed consent, autonomy, data security and public trust.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht 3584CX, The Netherlands. J.J.Nietfeld@umcutrecht.nl
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Nietfeld
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sugarman
authors.forename: Jan-Eric
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Litton
mesh_terms: D018070:Biological Specimen Banks / Q000941:ethics* / Q000592:standards*; D016494:Computer Security; D006801:Humans; D010355:Patient Identification Systems; D028701:Patient Rights