Engaging Maori in biobanking and genetic research: Legal, ethical, and policy challenges

Authors

Angela Beaton
Barry Smith
Valmaine Toki
Kim Southey
Maui Hudson

Year of Publication

2015

Source

The International Indigenous Policy Journal, 6(3)

Publication Type

Journal article (peer reviewed)

Publication Status

Completed

Abstract

The Health Research Council of New Zealand has funded a research project to identify Māori perspectives on biobanking and genetic research, and to develop cultural guidelines for ethical biobanking and genetic research involving biospecimens. This review describes relevant values and ethics embedded in Māori indigenous knowledge, and how they may be applied to culturally safe interactions between biobanks, researchers, individual participants, and communities. Key issues of ownership, privacy, and consent are also considered within the legal and policy context that guides biobanking and genetic research practices within New Zealand. Areas of concern are highlighted and recommendations of international relevance are provided. The authors conclude that to develop a productive environment for "next-generation" biobanking and genomic research, "‘next-generation" regulatory solutions will be required.

How to Access

This is an open access article and can be read in free full text at: http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1211&context=iipj