The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) has warned against excessively sharing Finnish health and genetic data with foreign entities. The organisation cautioned that such information could, in the worst case, be exploited for developing and targeting infectious diseases at specific populations.
Finland has provided international researchers, both academic and commercial, with access to its extensive health registries, whereas countries like China collect biodata from other nations but do not share their own.
According to Tuula Helander, chair of the Advisory Board on Biotechnology and an official at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Supo's concerns have not yet been specifically addressed by the board, even though the topic is not a new one.
She noted that authorities have long discussed how to facilitate the safe use of health and genetic data while ensuring data protection and security.
Finland's secondary use of health data law permits the use of health and social care data in statistics, scientific research, innovation, and education. However, researchers have criticised the law as overly restrictive, and a reform proposal is now under review.
Helander acknowledged these concerns, stating that researchers believe the law has slowed or even obstructed studies. However, she stressed that ensuring privacy and security is the biggest concern.
"If public trust were to erode, using vital health and genomic data for research would no longer be feasible," Helander warned.
The proposed reform aims to streamline international research while ensuring data is only shared within a secure environment, managed by a trusted institution such as a foreign university hospital.
The government’s goal is to make Finland an attractive hub for registry-based and medical research.
The Advisory Board on Biotechnology, appointed by the Finnish government, serves as an expert body on bio- and genetic technology issues.
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