Ethics Involving Research with Biological Tissue Samples in Uganda

Abstract

Biological tissue sample sharing is necessary for developing low-income countries to develop new knowledge due to a lack of laboratory infrastructure and human resource capacity. There is a general agreement among local researchers regarding the need to obtain approval for research on stored samples of the Research Ethics Committee. The institution housing the stored samples and medical data is custodian rather than owner of the biological tissue samples. Tissue sharing is associated with many ethico-legal issues especially between different countries. These ethical issues concern individual autonomy, confidentiality, and the credibility of the researcher. In international collaborations involving genomic and genetic research the export of biological tissue samples may negatively affect the building of local capacity. Regulatory frameworks governing the sharing of biological tissue samples need to be in place due to issues concerning inequitable benefit sharing and poor governance. This study reviewed the perspectives and opinions of the author and local researchers in Uganda regarding biological tissue sample sharing in collaborative genetic research projects between Uganda and developed high-income countries.