Ian Murray's statement on the use of UK Biobank data.
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. With permission, I will make a statement about the use of UK Biobank data.
UK Biobank is a non-profit charity, independent of government. The Biobank brings together data, kindly donated by its volunteer participants. This is shared with researchers globally to make significant scientific discoveries that improve patient health. This includes discovering genes that affect the risk of heart disease or cancer, identifying new ways of predicting dementia, early warning signs for cancers, understanding immunity to COVID-19, and work towards earlier detection of Parkinson's. It is one of the most successful and important studies of its type and continues to benefit patients in the UK and around the world. We are all grateful to those individuals who are part of this landmark study that is so important for all of our health.
On Monday 20 April, Madam Deputy Speaker, the UK Biobank charity informed the government that they had identified their data had been advertised for sale by several sellers on Ali Baba e-commerce platforms in China.
Biobank told us that 3 listings that appear to sell UK Biobank participant data had been identified. At least one of these 3 datasets appears to contain data from all 500,000 UK Biobank volunteers. Additional listings offered support for applying for legitimate access to UK Biobank or analytical support for researchers who already have access to the data.
I want to reassure the House up front however, that Biobank have advised that this data did not contain participants' names, addresses,
