Teadusseminar "Licence to Innovate: Individual Support for Private-Sector Use of Biobank Data. Evidence from Estonian Public Opinion surveys 2022-2025" (Kristjan Vassil)

Teadusseminar

Kolmapäeval, 11. veebruaril 2026 kell 14.00-15.00

Narva mnt 18 - 1024 ja Zoom

KRISTJAN VASSIL (Tartu Ülikool)

Licence to Innovate: Individual Support for Private-Sector Use of Biobank Data. Evidence from Estonian Public Opinion surveys 2022-2025

As the role of private industry in genomic and health research expands, public legitimacy of commercial access to biobank data becomes an essential condition for sustainable innovation.
This study examines the factors shaping unequivocal public support for private-sector use of biobank data, drawing on three nationally representative survey waves from the Estonian adult population (2022–2025). Using weighted logistic regression models with average marginal effects and interaction terms, the analysis identifies three mechanisms that explain variation in support. First, support is rooted in participatory orientation: individuals with favourable attitudes toward the Estonian Biobank and willingness to participate in future research are over 30 percentage points more likely to endorse commercial data use. Second, health-risk beliefs shape how people interpret the purpose of data—those who see health as modifiable are more supportive than those who view it as predetermined. Third, age acts as an amplifier rather than an independent driver, strengthening or weakening the effects of attitudes and beliefs across the life course. Commercial legitimacy thus arises less from demographics or passive affiliation and more from participation, perceived agency, and generationally attuned engagement. The findings contribute to the growing body of empirical work seeking sustainable, reciprocal, and innovation-driven models of collaboration between individuals and institutions.