Tackling Community Concerns about Commercialisation and Genetic Research: A Modest Interdisciplinary Proposal

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a rise in the creation of DNA databases promising a range of health benefits to individuals and populations. This development has been accompanied by an interest in, and concern for the ethical, legal and social aspects of such collections. In terms of policy solutions, much of the focus of these debates has tended to be on issues of consent, confidentiality and research governance. However, there are broader concerns, such as those associated with commercialisation, which cannot be adequately addressed by these means. This article focusses on the health-wealth benefits that DNA databases promise, and discusses the competing public and private interests at stake.