ABSTRACT
In the three Scandinavian countries, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, debate about the regulation of biobank research is surrounded by a classical ambiguity: on the one hand, population-based genetic research is seen as a source of medical hope (hence research should not be impeded), on the other hand, it is presented as a potential threat to existing institutions, norms and values (cf. Mulkay 1993). Though revolving around similar hopes and fears, however, the regulatory responses have played out differently in the three countries.
