Author Description

The background for this study was the fact that, in 1999, Dutch legislation introduced a duty for the person engaging in biomedical research to take care of insurance on behalf of the test subject. The goal of this legislative arrangement being to guarantee that the test subject would be compensated without great difficulties in case damage arose out of the research. When such an obligation to take out insurance cover exists then, in case of damage, the victim will be able to claim compensation directly from the insurer. A critical evaluation of the functioning of this legislative arrangement has taken place and the situation in other parts of Europe has been examined. Country reporters from Belgium, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland describe the insurance and liability arrangements concerning biomedical research in their country. A comparative analysis completes the survey.