18 Dec 2013, 10:15 am
It has opened a public consultation on the linking and use of biological and health data and the ethical issues that arise as a result of new medical research techniques.
The Council said that it is undertaking this work now because "technological advances are leading to new global opportunities and developments in biomedical data collection and linkage in the areas of health-related research, clinical practice and governmental activities".
The consultation asks how "developments in the collection and storage of biological and health data, and their linking with other data sources (including social and administrative data) affect the scope of benefits, harms and uncertainties facing individuals".
It also asks how developments relate to privacy, confidentiality and anonymity, and how private and public interests should be balanced.
The consultation is open until 10 January.
