I'd much rather see a comparison and insight into why Asian countries are so far ahead of the relatively small and well off European nations. There must be some key cultural differences.

The Netherlands has the highest broadband penetration in the European Union. According to the OECD, in 2009 DSL was available to approximately 100 % of the population.

That means Asia isn't ahead of us - we beat South Korea (and all other Asian countries) with our figures from 2008; we probably have an even higher percentage now.

That said, there is certainly quite a bit of research that DIY biologists would be capable of performing, especially considering that they could have access to the same kind of resources that professionals do. For example, after amplifying a gene, no researcher will sequence it themselves: it's shipped of to a specialized lab that will do it, for a fee. That sequencing step requires equipment and expertise that's at a higher level than even the pros don't have.

except that an overseas phone won't work here in the US, unless it's a GSM variant

Its your lucky day, pretty much all "overseas" phones are GSM phones. More than 80% of the worlds cell phones use GSM technology.

More luck your way: Theres a few more

Yeah that one is a bit annoying. Most of the world, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia uses the original 900 and 1800 MHz, But apparently these were occupied in the americas and so North America and parts of South America uses 850 and 1900 MHz. But a final bit of luck: Tri and Quad band phones got you covered there. Most modern phones are quad band phones and will serve you dutifully all around the world. And the privacy loving people that you are, you are going to love the whole SIM card system.