Biobanks as Knowledge Institutions
U. of Pittsburgh Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2018-42
Forthcoming in Minssen, Timo, Herrmann, Janne Rothmar, and Schovsbo, Jens eds. Global Genes, Local Concerns: Legal, Ethical and Scientific Challenges in International Biobanking Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.
21 Pages Posted: 10 Jan 2019
Date Written: December 12, 2018
Abstract
This chapter describes biobanks as institutions for collection, preservation, curation, and production of knowledge and information, in both material and immaterial forms. That characterization calls for research and comparative analysis of the broad diversity of specific biobanks, using a standardized research framework. Such a framework is identified and described here, as the knowledge commons framework. The chapter describes applications of the framework to biobanks to date and suggests directions for future research.
Keywords: Biobanks, gene banks, biorepositories, tissue banks, seed banks, biological databases, knowledge commons, commons in the cultural environment, information commons, cultural commons, science commons, data commons, knowledge pools, intellectual property, property, governance
JEL Classification: D23, H41, K11, L22, L23, O31, O32, O33, O34
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation