Summary
Researchers from China will gain access to half a million UK GP records through the UK Biobank, despite concerns from western intelligence agencies regarding the authoritarian regime’s potential to accumulate health data. The UK Biobank, which contains extensive medical information from 500,000 volunteers, provides data to universities, scientific institutions, and private companies, with one in five successful access applications originating from China. Preparations are underway to transfer these records, highlighting the ongoing debate over data security and international collaboration in healthcare research.