The medical institutions and OPOs that collected the biospecimens for the GTEx pilot study, Biospecimen Source Sites (BSS), chose to either submit a GTEx research protocol and undergo full or expedited IRB review, or upon consultation with their Office of Research Subject Protection determined that the research does not constitute human subjects research and did not require further review because the donors were deceased. The GTEx pilot study required explicit next-of-kin or legally authorized representative authorization for participation in the project.
