An investigation will examine how the unique conditions for research using registries in Sweden can be better utilized. Investigator will be Bengt Westerberg.
Research using the registers is important. The data contained in the registers can be used to study various issues related example in the case of diseases, economy and labor market. Today, laws and regulations stand in the way and the full potential of the records are not achieved.
– Sweden has the potential to become world leaders in this research. We must become better at exploiting our records while ensuring that the integrity safeguarded, says Education Minister Jan Björklund in a press release from the Government.
The Government today appointed a committee to revise the regulation on the register-based research. The inquiry will include reviewing how authorities to a greater extent can provide information for research purposes and how different registers can be run together while ensuring the protection of individuals’ privacy is respected.
The Government will, as announced, come up with a bill that regulates the specific research registry LifeGene at the Karolinska Institute. The investigator will produce proposals for a more general solution for this type of registry, which collects data that can be used by researchers in various research projects.
The investigator will also analyze the confidentiality of the data processed in the research is strong enough.
Investigators will be Bengt Westerberg, who previously led investigations in this area. He must submit his proposals by June 30th, 2014.