Artificial Intelligence and the Weaponization of Genetic Data
Advancements in genetics have the ability to rapidly improve medicine, with a number of factors converging to push the integration of genomics into mainstream healthcare. As technologies that use genetic data begin to expand, so does exposure to risks. The cost and harms from the misuse of genetic data can be latent. The immutability, uniqueness, and information-rich nature of DNA renders it a high-value target. Knowledge and control asymmetries exist between individuals, industry, and governments. Genetic data's value as an asset is mirrored in the potential degree of harm if abused. This article highlights the critical threats and vulnerabilities associated with genetic data risk, from identification and profiling, to exposure of health and medical conditions and susceptibility, as well as to the broader social welfare risk associated with biowarfare. All of these threats are rapidly actualizing from the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). Here we outline the ways in which data science is improving genetics and how that can ultimately lead to its weaponization.
Genetic Information Insecurity as State of Art
Genetic information is being generated at an increasingly rapid pace, offering advances in science and medicine that are paralleled only by the threats and risk present within the responsible ecosystem. Human genetic information is identifiable and contains sensitive information, but genetic data security is only recently gaining attention. Genetic data is generated in an evolving and distributed cyber-physical ecosystem, with multiple systems that handle data and multiple partners that utilize the data. This paper defines security classifications of genetic information and discusses the threats, vulnerabilities, and risk found throughout the entire genetic information ecosystem. Laboratory security was found to be especially challenging, primarily due to devices and protocols that were not designed with security in mind. Likewise, other industry standards and best practices threaten the security of the ecosystem. A breach or exposure anywhere in the ecosystem can compromise sensitive information. Extensive development will be required to realize the potential of this emerging field while protecting the bioeconomy and all of its stakeholders.
