국내 인체유래물은행의 운영 및 개선방향에 관한 조사 연구

Abstract

Biobanks serve as fundamental infrastructure in contemporary biomedical and healthcare research, with their significance increasingly recognized as the integration of healthcare information into research accelerates. This study aims to examine current practices in the collection and utilization of human biological materials and associated data, while proposing strategies to enhance the operational efficacy of biobanks in light of the rapidly evolving biomedical and healthcare research environment. A survey was conducted targeting all biobanks in South Korea, encompassing 81 institutions, with a total of 49 responses received. The findings indicate that a substantial number of biobanks collect both human biological materials and related clinical and epidemiological data. However, a notable shortage of personnel has resulted in frequent role-sharing and task overlap among staff members. Over half of the respondents emphasized the necessity of establishing adequate human resource standards to facilitate sustainable biobank operations. Furthermore, they highlighted the imperative to improve the fees and charging structure for distributing human biological materials to ensure financial sustainability and effective management. While most institutions utilize legally mandated consent forms, more than half of the respondents deemed these forms insufficient, opting to supplement them with additional consent documentation. The majority of participants also underscored the critical importance of education and public outreach initiatives to enhance awareness of the role of biobanks. Based on these findings, this study proposes several strategies aiming at enhancing biobank operations, including the recruitment of dedicated personnel, refinement of the fees and charging structure, and the strengthening of educational and outreach efforts. These strategies are anticipated to bolster biobanks as essential infrastructure for the advancement of biomedical and healthcare research.