ABSTRACT
I go on to consider how research subjects are variously constructed as patients by proxy and active health consumers, in professional discussions about informed consent and confidentiality. However, biobanks are also highly public ventures. This has meant that a range of competing subject positions also exist alongside that of patient and health consumer, particularly the position of citizen. I consider the ways in which doctors and scientists involved with biobanks negotiate these different positions, which involves considerable reflexivity about their own status as ethical professionals.
