Fife Residents Are Urged To GoSHARE!

People in Fife are being asked to support plans to store their blood samples to aid research into Heart Disease, Diabetes and Cancer.

Each day 50,000 blood samples are tested by laboratories in Scotland. Often when a blood sample is sent for routine clinical testing, a small amount is often left over and later discarded. This left over blood can be a valuable research resource. 

The Genetics of Scotland Research Register (GoSHARE) is being officially launched in Fife and asks residents for permission to store any excess blood from these tests for use in genetic research. The samples gathered will then be used to enhance the study of the role of genes in disease to improve future research.

As part of the GoSHARE initiative, blood samples gathered will be analysed with the genetic data collected and stored in secure databases. Such analysis may involve the reading a participant's entire genome, some 3 billion letters genetic code,with the information gathered providing useful information for future treatment. 

The information can also be cross-referenced against a participant's coded medical data to uncover any trends or patterns. Any medical information or samples used in research will have all personal information removed so no individual participant can be identified. 

NHS Fife Director for Research and Development, Dr Alex Baldacchino said: 

"The key to success in research is to be able to study as many people as possible.

"By registering with GoSHARE, participants are simply giving us permission to use any of the blood left over after testing. No more blood will be taken than is usual for standard clinical tests and no extra samples will be required.

"The use of spare blood is unique and is made possible only by the investment in the latest automated systems in NHS Fife and NHS Tayside, along with the close collaboration between the University of Dundee and NHS Fife.

"The registration process takes a matter of a few minutes to complete and all the information collected during the course of the research is kept strictly confidential."