Biobank Seminar

Mr Chairman,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The history of mankind can be traced in books, historical monuments and archaeological excavations. However, in recent years we have seen that the history of the human race is also recorded in our cells – as DNA sequences passed down through generations. They show biological traces of our previous way of life and the environment we have been exposed to.

Tiny samples of blood or tissue can disclose our strengths and weaknesses, our robustness and vulnerability to disease. By learning to read our DNA and the traces of environmental exposure with the help of modern technology, we can alleviate human suffering, improve treatment of diseases and prolong life. To do this, we need to collect biological samples from a large number of individuals whose life course we can follow, thereby identifying the causes of specific diseases and death.

In the wake of the Human Genome Project there has been an international call for large-scale population-based biobanks. The UK Biobank, which is being presented here today, is among the better known projects. Furthermore, we will hear about the ALSPAC birth cohort study of about 14,000 children in Bristol, which was established in the early nineties. It now provides an excellent opportunity for putting knowledge and technologies from the field of genomics into use as they become available. We will also learn how Norway, due to its tradition of conducting regional epidemiologic health studies and keeping national health registries, has become one of the few countries in the world that already have large population-based biobanks available to scientists.

Mr Chairman,
Both Norway and the UK have a clear advantage in biobank-based research because both countries have invested in strong welfare systems, national health services and research. We have a global responsibility to use these resources for the good of people in all countries. Closer international co-operation in the field of research and innovation has high priority in Norway. We believe this will lead to quicker, better and more cost-effective results. I am therefore pleased that a research-related conference is being held during this Special Visit to the United Kingdom, and Biobanks for Health is certainly a most relevant topic.

I wish you all a stimulating conference and hope it will foster fruitful co-operation between Norwegian and British scientists in the fascinating new landscape of life sciences.