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Data Privacy in Genomics

Meaning

Data privacy in genomics is the ethical and legal obligation to protect an individual’s unique genetic information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure following genetic testing or sequencing. This concept is critical because genomic data is uniquely identifying, highly sensitive, and predictive of future health status, impacting both the tested individual and their biological relatives. Strict adherence to privacy protocols is essential for maintaining patient trust in clinical and research genomics.