In times of transnational collaboration of scientists and researchers, of genetic tests offered on the internet, and of “genetic tourism” having become a common phenomenon, the governance of genetics and genomics is no longer an exclusive realm of national regulation. It is impossible to govern society from a single centre or by means of a single privileged governance mechanism.

Along two main topical lines (DNA databanks and genetic testing), this conference will address the question of what different shapes global genomic governance takes, which actors are involved, and how individuals and populations are governed through genomic science and technologies. Practices and sorts of knowledge in the global field of genomics create new infrastructures, foster the emergence of large networks. It is arguable that they alter the identities of people. Special attention will be devoted to ethical, legal, and social implications of new patterns of governing genomics in a global context. The conference will bring together experts from the social and the life science, as well as practitioners and policy makers.