| abstract |
Biologic information is obtained concerning a member of a population by obtaining a tissue sample from the member, storing the sample without embedding it in an embedding medium, retrieving from storage the sample associated with the member and thereafter analyzing it for biologic information. The tissue sample may be all or part of the member's placenta. Storage may be in a fixative such as formalin or a formalin substitute. Storage may also be by other means of preserving such as freezing or the like. When a tissue sample from more than one member is collected, a library is created that may be used for a variety of purposes, including reducing the incidence of medical malpractice claims, identification of members such as paternity testing or suspect identification. The library may also be used for pharmaceutical development and epidemiological surveys and research. Each sample may have associated with it certain epidemiologic information such as the donor's identity and medical history, residence, place of employment and the like. If the sample is of placental tissue similar information concerning the member's parents may also be recorded, as well as the hospital where the delivery occurred, the attending physician's name and the like. If and when a sample is retrieved and analyzed for biologic information, that information may also be associated with the sample so that it is available for future researchers. |