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Introductory considerations The last few years have witnessed an important expansion of human DNA sampling and data collecting. This activity has strategic importance for genetic research, clinical care and future treatments. Collections should be maintained and their use optimized. Human DNA, tissue or cell collections and the attached databases have been extensively exchanged for scientific purposes. However, the status of such collections and databases is not well defined and most institutions have no written policies or agreements regarding this activity. Regulations are at an early stage in most European countries and, with the multiplicity of actors and of rules that regulate them, the situation is difficult to comprehend. The rules for exchanging and sharing of information and material are not clear. The notion of return of benefits to research subjects or communities is fairly recent. Collections and databases …