Care needed over ethics of healthcare database use

Conference warned of need to avoid damaging public confidence over commercial use of healthcare data

News, 12 April 2007

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A conference in Edinburgh has highlighted the importance of finding the correct “balance” when making commercial use of healthcare databases.

The Herald newspaper reported today that the genetics conference was told that personal information gathered in Scotland for the UK's largest family healthcare study could be used by commercial firms in the future.

The study – called Generation Scotland – gathered information from 50,000 people in Scotland.

The conference was told that the correct balance must be struck when considering commercial use of databases, the paper reported.

Concerns have been raised over companies using data to advise people on what they should eat and what supplements they should buy on the basis of their genetic make-up.

Graeme Laurie of Edinburgh University, who chairs the UK Biobank Ethics and Governance Council, said care must be taken not to damage the public's confidence.

Professor Laurie said: "Access has to be transparent, and the next big question is about finding that balance in the ethics of commercialisation."

Under the Scottish programme, which was launched last year, doctors and scientists are aiming to create a database of DNA and patient information to help pinpoint who is most at risk from common conditions such as heart disease, cancer and mental illness.

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