Cell Stem Cell Forum Whole-Genome Analysis, Stem Cell Research, and the Future of Biobanks Thane Kreiner1,* and Stefan Irion1 1The Center for Science, Technology, and Society, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA 95053 USA *Correspondence:
[email protected] http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2013.04.024 The convergence of the genomic revolution and biobanking with rapid progress in stem cell research holds vast potential for personalized medicine and novel therapies. In this Forum, we explore social and ethical considerations emerging from strategies to realize the promise of these remarkable technologies. In 2005, one of the first genome-wide as- consequent knowledge could be lever- tion of individual genetic predispositions, sociation studies (GWAS) was published, aged to find new therapeutics and design and information about biological family in which over 116,000 SNPs in 146 indi- smarter clinical trials with inclusion and members who may not have provided viduals were screened to reveal a comple- exclusion criteria tailored to expected re- any type of informed consent (Cambon- ment factor H polymorphism associated sponses based on genetic variation (Bellin Thomsen, 2004; Knoppers et al., 2012). with age-related macular degeneration et al., 2012). Moreover, biobanks of cells Moreover, there is significant variation (Klein et al., 2005). Some 2 years later, with known and defined genetic profiles among informed consent for biobanks: successful reprogramming of human could facilitate development of cell-based specific to a particular study or broad; ob- fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem therapeutics less prone to immune rejec- ligations, if any, to return results to do- cells (iPSCs) was reported (Takahashi tion.