Reaching Empowerment in Genetic Information Regulation in Israel and Germany

This paper explores the challenges for policy makers with respect to the appropriate balance needed between relevant interests, such as private sector organisations, and individuals and communities who share their genetic information. The paper focuses on empowerment as a key strategic concept to which policy instruments purport to advance. The paper offers three frames of references that foster empowerment on personal and community levels, including privacy protection, avoidance of discrimination, and research profits and benefits sharing. Drawing on these themes of empowerment, this article critically compares policy instruments relating to genetic information in Germany and Israel.