Digitalization of Genetic Information: Prospects and Challenges

Abstract

—The process of the digitalization of biological information is currently in its early stages of development and is characterized by the accelerated exponential growth of databases, which offers great opportunities for the development of personalized medicine, biodiversity conservation, the development of biotechnology and agriculture, but, at the same time, provides additional opportunities for the development of dual-use technologies and biological terrorism. The purpose of this work is to analyze the current situation in the field of digital sequence information and the global challenges facing humanity as the volume of genetic information continues to increase. It is urgent to develop mechanisms of national and international control in this area, as well as to find the optimal balance between the requirements of confidentiality of personal data of the population, compliance with legal and ethical standards, the need for scientific research, the development of personalized medicine technologies, and the development of business models and organizational and legal forms able to accompany further growth of digital sequence information.