From Donors to Partners: Why Patients Are Reshaping Modern Biobanking

Abstract: Biobanks have long been built on patient donations of samples and data, but this model is evolving. Research now shows that patients are no longer just contributors, they are becoming active partners in how biobanks are designed, governed, and used. Across hospitals, research institutes, and patient-led initiatives, patient voices are helping shape consent models, governance structures, and research priorities, improving both trust and relevance.

Through real-world case studies from Europe and the US, this research highlights how patient involvement strengthens ethical oversight, transparency, and research impact. When patients participate as collaborators rather than passive donors, biobanks become more responsive to real health needs. As healthcare moves toward personalization, integrating patient perspectives is emerging not as an option, but as a foundation for sustainable and trustworthy biobanking.

Get the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40900-015-0001-z#Sec15

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