What special considerations apply to biobanking under TCPS 2?

• A. No consent needed if data is anonymized.
• B. Biobanking is outside TCPS 2 scope.
• C. Consent for storage and future use of samples, governance over access, and strict privacy protections.
• D. Only researchers own access rights.

Answer: (C)

Biobanking raises ongoing ethical considerations because storing biological samples for future research touches on participants’ autonomy, privacy, and how the materials are governed over time. Under TCPS 2, you need consent that covers more than the immediate study: people should understand that their samples will be stored for future research, what kinds of future studies might be conducted, and whether the samples or associated data could be shared with other researchers or institutions. This often involves broad or future-use consent, but it must be paired with a robust governance framework that decides who can access the samples, for what purposes, and under what conditions. The governance piece ensures requests for access are reviewed, and that there are agreements in place about how samples and data can be used and shared.

Privacy protections are essential because genetic and health information can remain identifying even when data are de-identified. TCPS 2 requires strong measures to protect confidentiality—de-identification where possible, secure data handling, strict access controls, and data-sharing agreements that comply with privacy laws. Taken together, consent for storage and future use, governance over access, and strict privacy protections reflect the special considerations TCPS 2 expects for biobanking.