As part of the Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH: http://iPSYCH.au.dk/), a large case–cohort study has commenced. In most countries, it would not be logistically feasible to compile large, representative population-based samples. In Denmark, the existence of (a) a universal public health care system free of charge, (b) several national longitudinal registers and (c) strict ethical and data protection legislation required to safeguard the privacy of study participants, has provided a remarkable research platform.12 Recent technological developments and a new legal framework for use of bio-banked material for research have created similar possibilities for genetic research.
