A cell or tissue sample from a donor is stored in bank wherein the donor can initially determine the sample status to (a) exclusively retain, (b) make public, or (c) optionally make public his cells or tissue. Where the donor opts for optional public storage, the donor may in response to a third party request convert the optional public storage status to public status or private status top thereby share or exclusively retain his cells or tissue. Depending on the initial and/or subsequent choice by the donor, an incentive or disincentive is provided.