[Ethics guidelines for the creation and use of registries for biomedical research purposes].

The clinical information stored in registries and records of different types is a fundamental tool for biomedical research. Up until just a few years ago, hardly any limitations existed on the creation and use of epidemiological registries or the use of information from pre-existing records for research purposes. This situation has changed substantially due mainly to the growing importance current laws place upon the safeguarding of the privacy and confidentiality of personal data.