AN OPT-OUT SYSTEM
There actually exists a much better model for dealing with consent issues relating to biospecimen research in Singapore: the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA), which creates an “opt-out” system for organ donation.
In Singapore, you have the right to specifically put yourself on a list saying that you do not want your organs to be used for transplantation purposes after your death. But if you fail to take that action, the default is that your organs will be available for transplantation.
A similar rule could be used in the case of research with biospecimens. It would allow anyone to object to the use of their biospecimens for research. But for those who do not, their biospecimens will otherwise automatically become available to be stored and used for research.
