ABSTRACT
This volume aims to provide a background to biobanking projects and discussions regarding their establishment in Asia by providing socio-economic and political contexts, and a variety of views on the institutional context in which biobanks are set up and genetic sampling takes place. These views include those of scientists and regulators on bioethical issues and those of vulnerable communities and individuals. Apart from placing discourses of trust in an international perspective, the comparative materials presented in this volume also put into perspective the concepts of genetic theft and exploitation, and genetic wealth and trust. This collection contains case studies of biobanking practices in societies with different needs and welfare levels, and it tries to provide insights into government strategies towards genetic resources by examining bioethics as practised at home.
