Ethical and culturally responsive biomarker research in the majority world

Abstract Studies of human development in the majority world rarely include biomarkers, especially outside research on nutrition and public health. Yet including the “bio” in bioecological has enormous potential to advance a global developmental science, reflective of the diversity found in most of the world's population. In this article, we discuss concerns related to the ethics and feasibility of conducting biomarker research in developmental studies in the majority world. We weigh these concerns against the potential benefits of advancing understanding of developmental mechanisms and processes, and how human development unfolds across cultures and contexts. In doing so, we draw on prior research and the authors' experiences developing and implementing studies that included biomarkers across multiple majority world contexts, and we suggest ways to explore various biomarker methods for their cultural and logistical feasibility. Combining rich data on the developmental ecosystem with biomarkers will enable scientific advancements relevant to the design of policies and interventions.