Medical research is changing, data privacy laws have not.

Medical research is undergoing a significant shift towards the use of mass data collection and artificial intelligence-driven analytics, which have the potential to revolutionize scientific breakthroughs. However, outdated data privacy laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), do not adequately address the challenges posed by these advancements. Patients have limited control over their health data collected through technologies like smart watches and apps, which can be sold to data brokers without their consent. The U.S. should collaborate with relevant agencies and stakeholders to establish a framework that protects patient privacy and fosters a healthy marketplace. Additionally, blockchain technology could provide a solution by allowing patients to give or reject consent for their data to be used in medical research while maintaining anonymity. It is crucial for Congress to update existing health privacy laws to ensure that Americans have ownership of their own health information while promoting innovation and the development of life-saving treatments. [Extracted from the article]