Protecting DNA data for Personalised Medicine 个性化医疗的DNA数据保护
Tags: Blockchain Technology, Medical Data, Dna, Medical, Blockchain

Protecting DNA data for Personalised Medicine 个性化医疗的DNA数据保护

How blockchain provides privacy & security to personal medical data that’s provided for personal medical treatment. 区块链如何为个人医疗数据提供隐私和安全性。 Genica Follow Apr 23, 2020 · 4 min read

Medicine and medical treatments have thus far been a one-size-fits-all approach. However, just as no sibling is similar to each other in their DNA makeup, how a medical condition develops and how a person responds to medical treatment differs from person to person.

More medical practitioners are moving towards the personalised medicine model in treating genetic diseases. With a growing understanding of genomics, the medical community has more precise data to provide effective healthcare that is customised for the individual patient.

What is Personalised Medicine

Personalised medicine is the concept of managing a patient’s health based on the patient’s specific characteristics and DNA.

According to this paper published on NCBI, much evidence has emerged over the past six decades to indicate that drug (medicine) response is genetically determined. It also states that age, ethnicity, dietary habits, lifestyle and living conditions, epigenetic factors, state of health as well as concurrent therapy are also important factors for recovery.

The use of genomics in personalised medicine is useful in identifying the most suitable treatments for common diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

In fact, the study of genomics has shown that many cancers can be prevented through lifestyle changes such as improving weight and diet, as well as reducing alcohol consumption or quitting smoking. At the same time, DNA research has also shown that there are some who are predisposed to these cancers that are inherited from ethnic, racial, or familial lines.

The understanding of each patient’s DNA will provide them with more accurate diagnoses, risk assessments, and options for optimal treatments. This ensures that the patient has the best response and highest safety margin for better patient care.

Uses of Personal DNA Medical Data

DNA can tell us many things about a person. It not only determines physical attributes such as height, skin and hair colour, and body shape, the study of genomics can also offer an insight to a person’s potential health risks.

Thus, DNA provides an extremely in depth understanding of each individual, and their potential respond to various medical situations, stimuli, and treatments.

Due to this, DNA data is highly valuable and sought after by various parties such as companies that develop drugs or therapies for treatments, IQ or EQ tests, or conduct clinical research studies.

Data Storage & Protection

When a person submits themselves to DNA testing for personalised medicine, the medical data obtained can be made available to third parties without their knowledge if there is a lack of protection and security for the genomic data.

Companies that do genetic testing or medical treatments for personal medicine can sell the DNA data in their possession, without the approval or knowledge of the people who the DNA comes from.

Current methods of storing DNA are also not secure and are susceptible to hacking.

Privacy & Security with Blockchain

Security hacks will happen, regardless of the system of data storage. However, storing medical data on the blockchain makes it more challenging for hackers to gain access.

Users are able to use blockchain technology to encrypt their DNA data, which are accessible only when the correct access keys are used. Since each action on the blockchain has an immutable timestamp, records cannot be altered retroactively without making changes to blocks subsequent to the record. All actions are also decentralised and public, thus discouraging hacking attempts.

In this way, patients have full control over their medical data, which they can then choose to share only with those who are directly involved in their personal medicine and treatment.

Full Control with Genica

All DNA data obtained by Genica is secured on our blockchain. This gives our customers true privacy and security. Such medical data is used only in DNA reporting and updating doctors who design personalised programs for our users.

About Genica

Genica allows you to take control of your health & wellness by understanding your DNA. User’s data is secure on our blockchain, giving them true privacy and security. This allows users to effectively use their medical data in a suite of products that include research facilities, DNA reporting, updating doctors or hospitals.