Human Biomedical Research Act (HBRA)
Research should always be conducted with integrity and be of reliable
quality to ensure that the health, welfare and safety of research participants
remain a paramount consideration at all times.
Section 27(1)(2) of the Human Biomedical Research Act (HBRA) states that:
(1) Every person who has obtained individually-identifiable information or human biological material for the purposes of human biomedical research must take all reasonable steps and safeguards as may be necessary, including rendering information or material non-identifiable, to protect such information or material against accidental or unlawful loss, modification or destruction, or unauthorised access, disclosure, copying, use or modification.
(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
Singapore's Human Biomedical Research Act (HBRA) provides clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of individuals and body corporates involved in human biomedical research and the handling of human tissue for use in research.
Through the legislation, the Ministry of Health (MOH) strives to ensure that human biomedical research and tissue banking activities carried out in Singapore follow the law and principles of good clinical practice relating to ethics and science to protect the safety and welfare of research subjects and tissue donors.
If you have any questions or concerns about your compliance with the HBRA, please write in to MOH at the following email address hbr_enquiries@moh.gov.sg.