Q&A: A New Tool for Ensuring Genetic Privacy
Q&A: A New Tool for Ensuring Genetic Privacy
Gamze Gursoy and Mark Gerstein of Yale Medical School have developed a strategy for stripping identifying variants from functional genomic data, balancing privacy with utility.
Gamze Gursoy and Mark Gerstein of Yale Medical School have developed a strategy for stripping identifying variants from functional genomic data, balancing privacy with utility.
genetic privacy
Hackers Are Breaking into Medical Databases to Protect Patient Data
Catherine Offord | Oct 1, 2018 | 4 min read
Agencies such as the NIH reward the discovery of vulnerabilities in their computer systems—before criminals can exploit them.
MyHeritage Account Data Compromised in “Cybersecurity Incident”
Catherine Offord | Jun 6, 2018 | 2 min read
A security researcher found the email addresses and encrypted passwords of more than 92 million users of the genealogy site on a private server outside the company.
Companies to Help People Sell or Rent Out Their Health Data
Catherine Offord | Jun 5, 2018 | 2 min read
Luna DNA, Nebula Genomics, and other “bio-brokers” will allow customers to make money by granting access to their genetic and personal information for research purposes.
Criticism for Craig Venter’s “Face-Prediction” Software
Catherine Offord | Sep 11, 2017 | 2 min read
The tool cannot predict a person’s face from DNA, say researchers—including some listed as coauthors on the publication.
Notable Science Quotes
The Scientist | Apr 1, 2017 | 2 min read
Eugene Garfield, the cancer moonshot, employee genetic testing, and more
Speaking of Science
The Scientist | Dec 1, 2015 | 2 min read
December 2015's selection of notable quotes
Venter Enters the Consumer Genomics Biz
Bob Grant | Sep 22, 2015 | 2 min read
The genomic entrepreneur has struck a deal with a South African health insurer to sequence the exomes of its customers.
Microbiome Fingerprints
Kate Yandell | May 11, 2015 | 3 min read
Researchers identify people by the unique combinations of microbes found in and on their bodies.
NIH Issues Genomic Data Sharing Rules
Jyoti Madhusoodanan | Aug 27, 2014 | 1 min read
Updated guidelines expand upon existing policy to include more kinds of data.
Funders Fight Re-Identification
Tracy Vence | Mar 25, 2014 | 2 min read
Four UK research funding agencies firm up their stance against deliberate attempts by researchers to re-identify supposedly anonymous study participants.
Proceed with Caution
Mark Gerstein and Dov Greenbaum | Oct 1, 2013 | 4 min read
While genomic data sharing is essential for research, scientists must work to keep sensitive, potentially damaging information under wraps.
Speaking of Science
The Scientist | Jul 1, 2013 | 2 min read
July 2013's selection of notable quotes
Debating Bioethics Openly
Declan Fahy & Matthew C. Nisbet | Jul 1, 2013 | 4 min read
Researchers and bioethicists need to take advantage of events such as the recent publication of the HeLa genome to engage the public on topics of privacy, biobank regulation, and more.
Nordic Gene Study Requires Consent
Kate Yandell | Jun 24, 2013 | 1 min read
A company has been ordered to stop estimating Icelanders’ genotypes and linking them to hospital records.
“Anonymous” Genomes Identified
Dan Cossins | May 3, 2013 | 2 min read
The names and addresses of people participating in the Personal Genome Project can be easily tracked down despite such data being left off their online profiles.
Privacy and the HeLa Genome
Kate Yandell | Mar 26, 2013 | 2 min read
European scientists have taken down the HeLa genome after publishing it without the consent of Henrietta Lacks’s family.
Bad Blood
Beth Marie Mole | Feb 20, 2013 | 3 min read
US scientists struggle to complete studies in Ecuador in the wake of biopiracy accusations.
Some Insurers Protected by GINA
Edyta Zielinska | Jan 23, 2013 | 1 min read
Long-term, life, and disability insurers may still be able to deny coverage to patients with a genetic disease, under current nondiscrimination legislation.
Preventing Genetic Identity Theft
Beth Marie Mole | Oct 10, 2012 | 2 min read
A new report lays out the pitfalls of consumer genetics and suggested strategies for safeguarding DNA’s privacy.