Origin stories from a regional placenta tissue collection

Fannin, Maria; Kent, Julie

Abstract

© 2015 The Author(s). Twenty-three years ago when women and their children were recruited to a longitudinal genetic epidemiological study during pregnancy, placentas were collected at birth. This paper explores the history of a regional placenta biobank and contemporary understandings of its value for the constitution of a research population. We draw on interviews with some of the mothers and those responsible for the establishment and curation of the placenta collection in order to explore the significance and meaning of the collection for them. Given its capacity to stand in for the study cohort of mothers and children, we argue that the material significance of the placenta biobank as a research tool seems far less important than the work it does in constituting a population. The stories about this collection may be understood within the wider context of developments in biobanking and the bioeconomy.

Citation

Fannin, M., & Kent, J. (2015). Origin stories from a regional placenta tissue collection. New Genetics and Society, 34(1), 25-51. https://doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2014.999153

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 23, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Feb 4, 2015
• Publication Date: Feb 4, 2015
• Deposit Date: Nov 26, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 11, 2016
• Journal: New Genetics and Society
• Print ISSN: 1463-6778
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-9915
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 25-51
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2014.999153
• Keywords: biobank, placenta, human tissue, pregnancy, ALSPAC, Bristol
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/841852
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14636778.2014.999153