Waag Society (NL)
Recent decades have brought human genetics from laboratory studies to mainstream commercial products. Today’s genetic research is a multi-billion industry based on the indisputable value of scientific output for the pharmaceutical industry.
The key resource in this value production is the genetic material acquired from individuals through exploitable commercial services to be resold as digitized genetic data to research institutions for profit.
The Waag Society decided to challenge this exploitation with a socially responsible business model of self-ownership, where citizens remain owners of their genetic material and sequenced data. For that purpose the Waag Society proposes a cooperative institution, fully owned by its members, providing a legal framework for citizens to remain owners of their genetic data during the whole process of its monetization. Such an organization will actively advocate, negotiate and represent citizen interests.
Credits
Production: Waag Society (NL)
Support: Creative Industries Fund NL
Waag Society (NL) is an institute for art, science and technology—is a pioneer in the field of digital media. Over the past 22 years, the foundation has developed into an institution of international stature, a platform for artistic research and experimentation, and has become both a catalyst for events and a breeding ground for cultural and social innovation. Waag Society explores emerging technologies and provides art and culture a central role in the designing of new applications for novel advances in science and technology.
