Paper On Ethical Issues Related To Epigenome Data Release

In the July issue of Genome Biology, an opinion papers is published entitled: “Epigenome data release: a participantcentered approach to privacy protection”

The paper has authors from several of the large epigenome generating consortia that are part of the International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC), including members of the BLUEPRINT consortium. The paper addresses how epigenome data can be made open-access while balancing appropriate interpretation and genomic privacy. A proposal is made for guidelines for data release that both reduce ambiguity in the interpretation of open-access data and limit immediate access to genetic variation data that are made available through controlled access.