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Written question asked by Henry Smith (Conservative) on Friday, 15 December 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 December 2023. It was answered by Andrew Stephenson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 December 2023 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

DNA: Databases

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to ensure the security of DNA data held by (a) the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and (b) private providers of NHS healthcare; and whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential for cyber attacks by foreign state-linked companies.

Answer

Organisations which hold sensitive biological data are subject to the UK General Data Protection Regulation. In addition, organisations such as Genomics England, UK Biobank and NIHR BioResource actively consider national security in decision making about partnerships with companies overseas.

As part of the new UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is undertaking a programme of work to assess how we can minimise the risks from biological data to protect our burgeoning bioeconomy, without stifling innovation, and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health outcomes in the United Kingdom and across the world. The Office for Life Sciences has begun this work, in consultation with relevant Departments and Agencies across Government, and key partners such as Genomics England and UK Biobank.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
7190
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Databases DNA NHS Cybersecurity
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk