The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has updated its Best Practices for Biospecimen Resources. Major revisions include the addition of new sections on biospecimen resource management and operations and conflict of interest, expansion of recommendations related to custodianship and informed consent, and harmonization with current federal guidance documents and recommendations from international biospecimen organizations. Public comments on the revised best practices are being accepted until September 22, 2010. For more information, visit http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-20872.htm.

Natural Science Collections Alliance
Our members are part of an international community of museums, botanical gardens, herbariums, universities and other institutions that house natural science collections and utilize them in research, exhibitions, academic and informal science education, and outreach activities.