Blockchain not just for bitcoin: It can secure and store genomes, too

Yale researchers have leveraged the technology to give individuals control of their own genomes. The new technology, dubbed SAMchain, ensures that individual genomic information remains secure. It also protects against occasional corruption of DNA data stored on the cloud, where most genomic information is now stored on far-flung networks of computers. The SAMchain technology could also speed up the advance of truly personalized medicine, the study authors say. For instance, patients would be able to provide direct access to their genomic data to doctors who can then use the information to help diagnose and treat medical conditions, with an individual’s permission, they say. The approach would be made available as an open source and available to all researchers free of charge — with an individuals’ permission Source