Trend Genomic and biometric data used for personalised care and authentication

Summary

In the short term, the report expects the collection of genomic and biometric data for personalised care and authentication to become more common. Falling DNA sequencing costs and technological progress are named as the drivers. Whole-genome sequencing costs fell from 300 million dollars in 2003 to 525 dollars in 2022, and more private companies began offering consumer services as a result. The report counts the secure use of precision medicine, which tailors care to an individual's genome and fitness data, as a benefit. At the same time it identifies privacy risks, exposure of sensitive health information and the underrepresentation of non-European ancestry, which could reinforce healthcare inequalities, as vulnerabilities.