Creation and governance of human genetic research databases : [report of the Workshop on Human Genetic Research Databases Issues of Privacy and Security 26 & 27 February 2004 Tokyo Japan] Scientists have known for years that complex diseases such as cancer heart disease stroke and diabetes arise from a combination of lifestyle environmental genetic and random factors. Large scale study of populations may contribute significantly to sciences understanding of the complex multi factorial basis of disease and to improvements in prevention detection diagnosis treatment and cure. As a result of developments in biotechnology and bioinformatics the opportunity to store and analyse increasingly large amounts of genetic data have rendered possible the creation of large scale population databases. Genetic research involving the use of such databases containing human genetic and genomic data information and biological samples is thus becoming increasingly feasible.