On 13 September 2019, the Scientific and Ethical Advisory Board (SEAB) met for the third time in the current funding phase of the German Biobank Node (GBN) and German Biobank Alliance (GBA). During the meeting held in Munich, representatives from GBN/GBA presented last year’s results to SEAB members Dominic Allen, Dr. Fay Betsou, Dr. Stefanie Houwaart, Prof. Kristian Hveem and Prof. Dr. Jochen Taupitz, and discussed the future of GBN/GBA. The current funding by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will end on 30 April 2020.
Of great significance to Europe
“GBN and GBA [is] a highly successful, necessary initiative whose objectives must be pursued beyond the current funding phase – which means long-term,” said Dominic Allen in his closing speech on behalf of the advisory board. He also underlined the consortium’s great significance on the European level: “What is happening in Germany is leading in Europe. [...] BBMRI-ERIC is very lucky to have GBN and GBA: the consortium is a key source of ideas and results for them to incorporate within the European context.”
Click here to read the full feedback from the Scientific and Ethical Advisory Board.