Abstract
Different types of consent are used to obtain human biospecimens for future research. This variation has resulted in confusion
regarding what research is permitted, inadvertent constraints on future research, and research proceeding without consent. The
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center’s Department of Bioethics held a workshop to consider the ethical
acceptability of addressing these concerns by using broad consent for future research on stored biospecimens. Multiple
bioethics scholars, who have written on these issues, discussed the reasons for consent, the range of consent strategies, and gaps
in our understanding, and concluded with a proposal for broad initial consent coupled with oversight and, when feasible,
ongoing provision of information to donors. This article describes areas of agreement and areas that need more research and
dialogue. Given recent proposed changes to he Common Rule, and new guidance regarding storing and sharing data and
samples, this is an important and timely topic.