Donated genetic data privacy risk

Researchers have identified people in the US who anonymously donated their DNA for use in medical research, raising concerns about privacy.

There is a strong link in men between their surname and unique markings on the male, or Y, chromosome. These genetic markings are a useful tool when investigating a family tree as they are passed from father to son.

This project consists in 1000 genomes and it contains the entire genetic code of volunteers who donated their DNA anonymously.

One of the researchers said: “this is an important result that points out the potential for breaches of privacy in genomics studies, that more knowledge empowers participants to weight the risks and benefits and make more informed decision, and finally we also hope that this study will eventually result in better security algorithms, better policy guidelines, and better legislation”.

In an accompanying editorial Eric Green says there needs to be a balance between the rights to privacy of those taking part in research and the benefits to society to be gained from the sharing of biomedical research data.

In my opinion, I think it has been a great investigation because we would advance more in security algorithms, in legislation and also we would be more informed, but I’m also agree with Eric Green, because in many occasion the investigation might be grateful, but we mustn’t forget the privacy of the volunteers who made possible this research.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21056647