China to gain access to NHS medical records from 500,000 patients despite MI5 fears that health data could be misused by Beijing
Chinese researchers will be granted access to NHS medical records despite MI5 fears that health data could be misused by Beijing.
Chinese researchers will be granted access to NHS medical records despite MI5 fears that health data could be misused by Beijing.
Western intelligence agencies have warned that China is amassing troves of sensitive information in a potential threat to national security.
But it could soon get its hands on data from the GP records of half a million UK patients in a move branded ‘outrageous’ by MPs.
The information is being uploaded to the central database of the UK Biobank, a research hub that makes data available to universities, scientific institutes and private companies.
Analysis suggests one in five successful applications for access come from China.
MI5 has warned that organisations and individuals can be ordered by Chinese intelligence agencies to carry out work on their behalf. Now they will have medical histories sitting alongside other data already held on the directory.
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told the Mail last night the situation was ‘outrageous’, adding: ‘China is an unfriendly country and there should be a complete ban on any further NHS data going there.
‘It can use medical data to develop drugs and give itself a competitive advantage or to understand our genetic makeup and develop targeted weapons.’
Western intelligence agencies have warned that China is amassing troves of sensitive information in a potential threat to national security
The medical data is being uploaded to the central database of the UK Biobank, a research hub that makes data available to universities, scientific institutes and private companies
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said China is an unfriendly country and there should be a complete ban on any further NHS data going there
The UK Biobank already holds genomes, tissue samples and questionnaire responses from 500,000 people, who have now agreed for their GP data to be added to the database, building up a broader picture of patients and their medical histories.
Personal details such as names and dates of birth are stripped from the data before it is shared, but experts say that in some cases individuals could still be identified and this could be used for espionage by hostile states.
Participants gave consent for their de-identified data to be shared with approved national and international researchers but were not asked specifically about China. UK Biobank said NHS England has recently audited its processes for sharing data internationally, including how it assesses applications from China.
It passed the audit, meaning Chinese researchers can now apply for access to the GP records.
Experts believe access to health data could be part of China’s broader, long-term strategy to develop biological capabilities that transcend traditional military or economic geopolitical tactics.
Shadow national security minister Alicia Kearns said: ‘The risk of our data being harvested to manufacture future bioweapons is real.
‘China is the largest genomic data harvester in the world, its goal to be a biotech superpower, but it cannot do that unless it harvests the data from more diverse populations than its own.’
In 2023 MI5 chief Ken McCallum warned that hostile states such as China are ‘laser focused’ on emerging technology like synthetic biology, a scientific field that involves designing or modifying biological systems like a virus to perform new functions. ‘States which lead the way in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and synthetic biology will have the power to shape all our futures,’ he said. ‘We all need to be aware, and respond, before it’s too late.’
Shadow national security minister Alicia Kearns said ‘China is the largest genomic data harvester in the world, its goal to be a biotech superpower
In 2023 MI5 chief Ken McCallum warned that hostile states such as China are ‘laser focused’ on emerging technology like synthetic biology
Last year, UK Biobank approved access for a research project on ageing by a unit of the Chinese genetics company BGI (pictured)
Last year, UK Biobank approved access for a research project on ageing by a unit of the Chinese genetics company BGI.
The US has blacklisted BGI subsidiaries, barring Americans from exporting to them.
Joe Biden’s government said in 2023 that it had information indicating that the actions of BGI units ‘present a significant risk of diversion to China’s military programmes’.
BGI dismissed the claims, saying its research ‘is undertaken for civilian and scientific purposes only’.
A UK Biobank representative said it was ‘continually in dialogue’ with MI5 and other state agencies about the use of its data, including by BGI.
A government spokesman said: ‘We have strict security procedures in place to ensure all sensitive UK health data information is protected...
‘It can only be accessed within a secure digital environment and it is not possible to download copies of the GP data outside of that secure digital space.’