title: Access to biobanks: harmonization across biobank initiatives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study investigates whether access arrangements relevant for biobanking contain clear information on key access conditions. It furthermore assesses the extent to which these access conditions are harmonized across biobank initiatives.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comparative analysis was conducted of access arrangements developed by 26 organizations, 36 biobank networks, and 20 biobanks worldwide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study demonstrates a lack of clear information on 21 key access conditions relevant for biobanking. Furthermore, it confirms that the harmonization across biobank initiatives is limited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many biobank initiatives need to be more transparent on how they apply the studied access conditions.
authors.affiliation: 1 Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy , KU Leuven, Belgium .
authors.forename: Michiel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verlinden
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nys
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ectors
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Huys
mesh_terms: D018070:Biological Specimen Banks