Researchers in China will have access to NHS medical records of 500,000 patients, with growing fears so that the data can be used badly.
UK Biobank, a research center, is currently preparing anonymized files to transfer to Beijing.
The installation makes its information available to universities, scientific institutes and private companies.
Volunteers have agreed that data from their general practitioners’ files will be added to the central database – one of the largest health data trox in the world.
Volunteers have agreed that data from their GP records will be added to the central database
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The project, based in Stockport, has already been used to develop new treatments for cancers, heart disease and age -related conditions.
The Guardian analysis suggested that a successful in five application for access to the database comes from China.
This week, a source from the research center told the publication that the NHS unit responsible for health data had granted the official authorization of Chinese researchers.
The MI5 previously urged organizations and individuals to be wary of Chinese attempts to acquire sensitive information.
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The analysis suggested that a successful in five application for access to the database comes from China
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In 2023, the head of MI5, Ken McCallum, warned that China and other hostile states are “laser -oriented” on emerging technology such as synthetic biology – a scientific field that implies the design or modification of biological systems as a virus to fulfill new functions.
“States that open the way in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum IT and synthetic biology will have the power to shape all our future,” he said.
“We must all be aware and respond, before it is too late.”
The former conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told Daily Mail that the situation was “scandalous”, adding: “China is a hostile country and that there should be a complete ban on any other NHS data.”
He also said that the Chinese Communist Party could use data to “develop targeted weapons”.
Former conservative chief Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the situation was “scandalous”
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Researchers in China will have access to NHS medical records of 500,000 patients
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Chi Onwurah, a labor deputy who chairs the parliamentary committee of science and technology, defended the project but admitted that stricter measures should be set up to protect the data.
She said: “” We need a government -level strategy that gives people the confidence they have control of their data, that their data is not safe and responsible for the realities of geopolitics and the potential for bad players to use our data for patients. “”
The government has stressed that all patient data will be anonymized and will only be shared with “legitimate researchers”.
A spokesperson said: “National security is one of the main foundations of this government.
“Safety and confidentiality considerations are always taken into account when the health data of the United Kingdom is used to advance our understanding of diseases and advance scientific research.
“Health data is always anonymized, deleting details that allow people to identify identified and legitimate researchers.”