The belief that genomics requires rethinking the ‘social contract’ to realize its potential has received backing from leading figures within bioethics. The case for a new social contract is anchored in notions of solidarity, altruism or the common good. But national genome sequencing is playing out against a backdrop of greatly increased involvement, and investment, of governments in their life science sectors – creating a sort of international race to drive innovation, stimulate growth, and create the most competitive life science sectors. Recent developments in the UK suggest this agenda is detrimental to openness and transparency, as well as independent oversight, and meaningful public consultation. These aspects of governance, I argue, should be reconceived as part of the requirements of good governance. Further, a new social contract should involve a commitment by government, and industry, to educate the public about life science – and should be extended to life science more generally.

基因组学需要重新思考“社会契约”以实现其潜力的信念得到了生物伦理学领军人物的支持。新社会契约的理由是基于团结、利他主义或共同利益的概念。但国家基因组测序正在发挥作用，背景是政府大大增加了对生命科学领域的参与和投资——创造了一种推动创新、刺激增长和创造最具竞争力的生命科学领域的国际竞赛。英国最近的事态发展表明，该议程不利于公开性和透明度，以及独立监督和有意义的公众咨询。我认为，治理的这些方面应该被重新视为良好治理要求的一部分。更远，