Title: Bionetworking in Asia - International collaboration, exchange, and responsible innovation in the life sciences
Funder: Economic and Social Research Council

Abstract: Bio-medical innovation makes a substantial contribution to Western societies and economies. But the organisations that lead such research in the West are increasingly reliant on clinical research conducted beyond the West (Thiers et al 2008; Karlberg 2008). Such initiatives are challenged by uncertainties about research quality and therapeutic practices in Asian countries. These only partly justified uncertainties are augmented by unfamiliar conditions. For example regulations, standards of living, and inequities of healthcare provision and socio-political regimes vary substantially between states. This study examines how to create responsible innovation in the life sciences by looking for ways to overcome existing obstacles to safe, just and ethical international science collaborations. Our efforts, supported by Asian language expertise, biology background, and experience with science and technology policy-making, aim to uncover how international life science collaborations deal with 'differences' between research institutions in countries with high- and low-incomes. We examine how public health concerns and policies, and varying healthcare systems and epidemiological analyses are reflected in the needs, preferences and behaviour of stakeholders and established international standards for research. We further investigate how these differences translate into the bargaining position of researchers, patients and scientists. Building on observations of scientists, managers and patients, we analyse the various ways in which regional differences and inequalities play a role in the networks used for patient recruitment and international research agreements. Profitmotivated networks in the life sciences also occur underground and at an informal, unregulated level, which we call bionetworking. Bionetworking is a social entrepreneurial activity involving biomedical research, healthcare and patient networks that are maintained by taking advantage of regionally differences in levels of science and technology, healthcare, education and regulatory regimes. Examining the growing number of international science collaborations in the fields of experimental stem cell therapies and biobanking in Asia, we ask the following: How does bionetworking challenge or facilitate international life science collaborations that are to support public health targets of different countries? How can knowledge of these informal patient-, research- and hospital networks be translated into improved guidance for research collaboration, patient support and policy guidelines? The integral analysis of the project nodes incorporates: - 'Responsible innovation': (i) safety, hygiene, research ethics; (ii) high quality research (iii) flexible ethics. - 'Good governance': (i) public participation; (ii) social justice; (iii) biological citizenship. - 'Global assemblages': (i) international science collaborations; (ii) competition in bionetworking. Using novel social-science methods, the subprojects study facets of bionetworking. Subproject 1 'Bionetworking and patient recruitment for experimental stem cell therapies' examines patient recruitment networks for experimental stem cell therapies and cooperation between research and health institutions involving exchanges of patients against other resources. Subproject 2 'Bionetworking and cell flows: Exchanges of biomaterials and cell bank regimes in Asia' maps and analyses challenges associated with exchanges of biomaterials of human derivation, and forms of 'ownership' rights, benefits and burdens associated with their donation, possession, maintenance, and application. Subproject 3 'Public health policy, governance, and patient preference' investigates how in different countries patients' healthcare priorities vary from preference for more scientific research into new therapies and better patient health care to better patient facilities in society and recognition of their status as equal human beings.


Research activity codes: 8.2 HEALTH AND WELFARE ECONOMICS
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE