Frequently Asked Questions

 

Will my blood be stored for future research?


In the future, there may be discoveries about other important things to measure in blood and DNA in relation to stress. Therefore, we would like your permission to save some of your blood (for up to 10 years) and DNA (for up to 20 years) for future research. With your permission, any extra blood would not be discarded but would be stored for possible future use. The samples will be coded by ID number only, not by names, and will be accessed only by our research team.  The code linking ID's to names will be kept in a locked file cabinet.  The samples will be stored in the laboratories of the investigators.  Blood samples will be stored for up to 10 years, and DNA will be stored for up to 20 years, and then samples will be destroyed. There will be no charge, and you will not receive any payment or financial benefit from any findings. You will not be told the results of this extra research. Participation in this extra research is voluntary. If, in the future, you decide you do not want any of your extra blood to be saved and possibly used in future research, you can always contact the researchers and tell them to not use your sample. You will be asked whether you are willing to allow this extra research when you complete the survey consent form at your initial visit.