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Health Data Commodification

Meaning

Health Data Commodification is the process by which an individual’s personal health information, including biometric, genetic, and hormonal data, is treated as a marketable economic good or commodity. This involves the collection, aggregation, and sale of de-identified or anonymized health data to third parties, such as pharmaceutical companies, researchers, or marketing firms. While this data can advance scientific discovery, the commodification raises profound ethical questions regarding patient ownership, informed consent, and the potential for misuse or discrimination based on one’s biological profile.