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The European Nutrigenomics Organisation (NuGO), a European network of excellence funded as part of the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme for Research, has published a set of bioethics guidelines designed to help scientists undertaking nutrigenomics research using human subjects. 

The 19 guidelines, covering topics under the headings of informed consent, genotype information (covering criteria for disclosure of genotype results to participants), biobanks, and use and exchange of data samples, are accompanied by references to relevant official and legal documents from the EU and individual European countries, a list of definitions, a set of template documents chosen as examples of good practice for processes such as seeking informed consent, and a list of available bioethics training courses within Europe.

The NuGO guidelines are based on principles for which there is a general consensus within the EU, and conform to the legal standards set out in various EU Directives. However the authors stress that the guidelines are not a legal document and that ethical approval for nutrigenomics research will depend on the legal and regulatory standards obtaining in individual countries.

NuGO’s guidelines are concise, clear and well set out, and are likely to be a useful starting point for anyone interested in the ethical principles for conducting population-based genomics research. Users are encouraged to add examples and comments from their own experience, to inform the further development of the guidelines. NuGO will be launching the guidelines officially at its annual conference in Oslo in September 2007.