UK Biobank Data Listed on Alibaba Then Removed; No Sales Occurred

Data from the UK Biobank was put up for sale on China's Alibaba site this week. Science Minister Patrick Vallance stated that more attempts to sell the data in China were expected. The breach was the work of rogue researchers from three Chinese institutions, Vallance revealed in his report to the Lords this week.

No names, addresses, NHS numbers or other identifiers were included in the data listings. The Chinese government took down the listings and nothing was sold. UK Biobank has 500,000 members. About 100 people inquired about withdrawing from UK Biobank.

Only 50 people actually withdrew from UK Biobank after inquiries. Prof Sir Rory Collins, UK Biobank’s chief executive, stated he will personally speak to any anxious participant. UK Biobank data contributed to a blood test revealing motor neurone disease years before symptoms arise.

UK Biobank data identified a single gene behind almost all Alzheimer’s cases. UK Biobank data developed a score to decide which overweight people have most risk factors and should be first for weight-reduction drugs. UK Biobank collected data from 500,000 recruits aged 40-69 in 2006.

UK Biobank data collected includes blood, urine, saliva, height, weight, hip and waist measurements, blood pressure, heart rate, grip strength, bone density, eye examinations, lung function and fitness tests. UK Biobank lifestyle questions include location, education, shift work, mobile phone use, smoking, drinking, exercise, sleep, diet, mental health and cognitive function tracked over time.

UK Biobank took five years to sequence everyone’s genomes.