Disrupting the Biospecimen “Treasure Trove”: Practice, Precedent, and Future Directions

Publication Title

Science

Authors

Leslie E. Wolf, Georgia State University College of LawFollow
Samantha KenchFollow
Marielle Gross, Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-21-2025

Abstract

The article focuses on how decentralized biobanking offers a approach to reconnect individuals with their biospecimens, challenging the traditional "treasure trove" model where institutions exclusively control and profit from donated biological materials. Topics include the legal precedents shaping donor rights, technological innovations such as blockchain and NFTs for transparent specimen tracking, and the ethical and practical implications for research participation, and benefit-sharing.

Comments

Science

Recommended Citation

Leslie E. Wolf, Samantha Kench & Marielle Gross, Disrupting the Biospecimen “Treasure Trove”: Practice, Precedent, and Future Directions, 389 Science 784 (Aug. 21, 2025).

Institutional Repository Citation

Leslie E. Wolf, Samantha Kench & Marielle Gross, Disrupting the Biospecimen “Treasure Trove”: Practice, Precedent, and Future Directions, Faculty Publications By Year 3720 (2025)
https://readingroom.law.gsu.edu/faculty_pub/3720

DOI

10.1126/science.adw8337

ISBN

0036-8075

Volume

389

Issue

6762

First Page

784

Last Page

786