Macrogen Works With Big Data Firm for Blockchain-Backed Medical Data Solution

As per The Korea Herald, South Korea’s biotechnology firm, Macrogen has revealed its plans to work alongside big data firm, Bigster, to establish what seems like a blockchain-based platform that would support, DNA and other medical information. In particular, the efforts are done to ensure that such data are available and remain free from possible alterations and inappropriate uses.

The duo has planned for the entire project to come-into-effect by June 2019, which by then will have other unnamed firms contributing as well. As previously mentioned, DNA data requires utmost attention, as it not only houses personal information, but also those that are required to make crucial decisions. Therefore, any possible alteration to it can become an issue.

To resolve current issues faced in traditional systems, the duo believes it is necessary to use blockchain for its tamper-proof nature, as it helps to “ensure high encryption and big data processing capabilities”, which was quoted by Macrogen.

In a statement, CEO of Macrogen, Yang Kap-seok expressed the difficulties associated with trying to obtain gene data given that they are readily available. In particular, Yang was quoted saying,

“Despite its wide utility, gene data has been difficult to move around due to privacy protection issues and technological barriers. We hope that our upcoming blockchain-based platform will allow health care gene and medical big data to be circulated freely.”

Blockchain technology has impressed many firms across several industries, hence seeing it being of significant use within the medical and recordkeeping sector adds yet another successful attempt for the tech at hand.

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