Susan Wolf on Law, Ethics, Science, and Medicine

Biobanks and archived datasets collecting samples and data have become crucial engines of genetic and genomic research. But there is not yet consensus on what responsibilities biobanks should shoulder to manage incidental findings and individual research results of potential health, reproductive, or personal importance to individual contributors. Should researchers and biobanks analyze and offer back to research participants the results generated in genetic and genomic research? Who has the responsibility of offering research results to those individuals?  Susan Wolf explores this ongoing debate, which rests at the intersection of law, ethics, science, and medicine.

Susan Wolf is Founding Chair of the Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment and the Life Sciences at the University of Minnesota. The Consortium combines the multidisciplinary skill and scholarship of its nineteen member centers to conduct research, serve students, and bring the public into essential dialogue on the societal implications of the life sciences.