ELSI

Resources for biobanks

Ethical, legal and societal issues (ELSI) play a central role for biobanks, which have to mediate between the interests of donors of human biospecimens and researchers.

The collection, storage and use of human biospecimens and associated data must be ethically justifiable and legally secure. ELSI (Ethical, Legal and Societal Issues) is therefore of fundamental importance to biobanking. ELSI research and advice focuses on issues such as the rights of sample donors, data protection and public discourse. An essential prerequisite for the ethical and legal permissibility of biobanks is the consent of sample donors.

In Germany, the Biobanking Working Group of the Working Group of Medical Ethics Committees in the Federal Republic of Germany (AKEK) is the central body, with which the German Biobank Network (GBN) liaises on issues in this field.

On this page, the GBN provides a collection of information, text templates and links to relevant organisations. The 'Biobanks' overview page on the AKEK website also provides a very good introduction as well as numerous materials and templates.

Consulting and training

Templates (in German)

Selected publications

04/20/2026

ISBER Annual Meeting & Exhibits 2026

ISBER Annual Meeting & Exhibits
20. - 23. April 2026
Shenzhen, China

Das ISBER Annual Meeting ist eine der führenden Fachkonferenzen im Bereich Biobanking und findet 2026 vom 20. bis 23. April in Shenzhen, China statt. Die Veranstaltung bringt jährlich Biobank-Expert*innen aus Wissenschaft, Industrie und Pharma aus sechs Kontinenten zusammen, um aktuelle Entwicklungen, Best Practices und Innovationen im Biobanking zu diskutieren und internationale Kooperationen zu fördern.

Mehr Informationen folgen.

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