Willingness to Donate Remnant Human Biospecimens in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Studies using biospecimens can help reveal pathogenic mechanisms and improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. However, there is still a lack of relevant investigation data, which can provide initial evidence for establishing or improving relevant laws and regulations, on people's willingness to donate biospecimens, and whether they agree to waive the right of obtaining informed consent in the special period of sudden outbreak of new infectious diseases. Objectives: To investigate people's willingness to donate their remnant biospecimens of clinical tests for research in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and their willingness to sign the informed consent for research using their biospecimens. Methods: We conducted a survey using an online questionnaire, which included questions on basic personal information, COVID-19-related information, donation of remnant biospecimens, willingness to sign informed consent, and reasons to do so. Results: Among the 721 valid responses, 620 respondents (86.0%) reported that they would be willing to donate their remnant biospecimens for research, of whom 434 (70.0%) reported that they would donate their remnant biospecimens without signing the informed consent. Of the 11 specified influencing factors, occupation, household income, and degree of concern about the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with willingness to donate remnant biospecimens. Gender and age were associated with willingness to donate remnant biospecimens without signing the informed consent. The main reasons for unwillingness to donate remnant biospecimens and sign the informed consent were a limited knowledge of research and privacy concerns. Conclusions: Most respondents reported that they would be willing to donate their remnant biospecimens for biomedical research without signing an informed consent in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lack of understanding of the proposed research and concerns about personal privacy were the main reasons for unwillingness to donate biospecimens and signing the informed consent.

Keywords: COVID-19; biobank; infectious disease outbreaks; informed consent; remnant biospecimens.