Presentation - David Winickoff

Presentation - David Winickoff

 

The use of blood and tissue collections for genomic and other kinds of research remains a contested biopolitical issue, especially in the wake of controversies like the Havasupai incident in Arizona and well-known legal opinions on the ownership of biobanks.

First, because discussions about biobanks threaten to be too vague without specifying different kinds of biobanks out there, this talk provided a basic typology of current biobanking projects, and suggested some of their most lively ethical issues.  

Second, the talk focused less on individual property and privacy claims – which have received the brunt of attention --  than on the collective interests and obligations that are shaping biobanking discussions and practices today.  

Finally, the talk suggested how innovations in governance mechanisms, if they are supported with public engagement on these issues, could better ensure that biobanks generate the greatest value for public health even as they respect the contributions of donor participants.