Will developing countries benefit from their participation in genetics research?

Abstract

There is an increase in the amount of genetics research being conducted in both developed and limited resource countries. Most of this research is sponsored by developed countries. There are concerns in limited resource countries on how the benefits from this research are currently being shared or will be shared in the future. There is need for caution, to ensure that populations from limited resource countries are not exploited by being used as subjects in genetics research which is meant to benefit populations from developed countries. This paper addresses the issue of fairness in benefits sharing and argues for justice in the sharing of both burdens and benefits of genetics research. The paper responds to some of the issues and arguments in recent literature on the meaning and limits of the concept of benefit sharing in human genetics research.

Malawi Medical Journal Vol. 20 (2) 2008: pp. 67-69