The Protecting Genetic Information from Discrimination Act: Getting Cyber Security Software Ready!
With the potential for DNA sequencing and genetic research to revolutionize medicine and science, the demand for strong cyber security software to safeguard sensitive genetic data has become paramount. Genetic data is extremely personal and can include a wealth of information about a person’s ancestry, medical predispositions and even potential health risks in the future. As more institutions, such as healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions gather and store genetic data, safeguarding this will be a big priority. You’re reading the Growing Threat to Genetic Data newsletter, a special series from the Opinion section. The proliferation of genetic testing services like 23andMe and AncestryDNA has led to the storage of huge troves of genetic data in digital databases. However, these databases have also become targets for cybercriminals. These hackers look to exploit networked vulnerabilities present in cyber-security software to gain access to, obtain, or ...