Indo-Swiss Symposium on Cohorts and Biobanks with special reference to chronic non-communicable diseases

Abstract

The objectives of the sympo-sium were: (1) consider the value and priority of cohorts and bio-banks to explain vulnerability and risk factors, and to guide policy, (2) review Indian and Swiss experi-ence and approaches to establishing and managing var-ious cohorts, (3) clarify cross-cutting implications and prospects for cohort planning in India and Switzerland, and for particular chronic diseases and (4) examine ethi-cal issues to be addressed in design and planning of cohort studies and bio-banking.