Geneticization and Biobanking
Geneticization and Biobanking

Summary/Abstract: While biobanks constitute an indispensable source of scientific data, they also generate many concernsrelated to the ethical, legal and social aspects of acquiring and storing of human biological material, particularlywhen it comes to the matters of privacy and confidentiality of data and commercialization of research results. It isimportant as social perception of biobanking may have a bigger impact on the donors than real scientific achievements,while negative images of biobanks may negatively influence the readiness to donate. This, in turn, mayimpede the functioning of biobanks. Thus, the aim of this paper is to describe the main social anxieties relatedto gathering and usage of human biological material. Beginning with the concept of geneticization, the paperwill tackle the most important social concerns regarding biobanking: creation of a unique genohype, geneticizationof diagnostics and identity, the risk of genetic discrimination and commercialization of genetics and genepatenting.

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