7. Regulation of human biomedical research
The Human Biomedical Research Act was enacted to clarify responsibilities in human biomedical research to prioritise participant safety and welfare.
Last updated 5 March 2026
What is the Human Biomedical Research Act (HBRA)?
The Human Biomedical Research Act (HBRA) was enacted in 2015 to provide clarity on the roles and responsibilities of individuals and body corporates involved in human biomedical research and the handling of human tissue for use in research, in order to ensure that the health, welfare, and safety of research participants remain a paramount consideration at all times.
Through the legislation, the Ministry of Health (MOH) strives to ensure that human biomedical research and tissue banking activities carried out in Singapore follow the law and principles of good clinical practice relating to ethics and science to protect the safety and welfare of research subjects and tissue donors.
If you have any questions or concerns about your compliance with the HBRA, please write in to MOH at the following email address hbr_enquiries@moh.gov.sg (opens in new tab).
Links to decision tools
About the Act
Human Biomedical Research Regulations 2017 (opens in new tab)
Human Biomedical Research (Restricted Research) Regulations 2017 (opens in new tab)
Human Biomedical Research (Tissue Banking) Regulations 2019 (opens in new tab)
HBRA Guidance Documents
HBRA Guidance Documents for Reference
MOH Circulars
MOH Circulars for Research Institutions (RI) and Tissue Banks (TB) Notified to MOH
Infographics
List of HBRA Infographics
List of Research Institutions (RI) and Tissue Banks (TB) Notified to MOH
List of RIs and TBs Notified to MOH
Tissue and Research Application System (TIARAS) Guidance Documents
List of TIARAS Guidance Documents