Abstract

The complex legal-scientific history of research biobanking and human biological materials and information can be seen as a case of co-production between science and law. Whereas the main legal perspectives have remained anchored to the concepts of autonomy (also conceived of as privacy) and property - the former primarily developed in Europe, the latter in the U.S - new legal scenarios and imaginaries are opening up, especially through IT and social networks. The relationships between researchers and citizens have been reframed as forms of collaboration, where participants become partners in creating new knowledge and in shaping the lines for future research.