Bio-Data Donation Open Even to Those Without Health Screenings... Anyone Can Participate

Health and genetic data to support Korean medical AI and new drug development
First release of research data in November as national bio-big data project expands

People who have not undergone health screenings will also be able to participate in the national bio-big data initiative, which will support the development of Korean medical artificial intelligence (AI) and new drugs. The government has expanded eligibility beyond people who have undergone health screenings, opening participation to everyone. This is expected to accelerate the collection of health and genetic information needed for medical research. Accumulated research data will also be made available for the first time this November.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on the 15th that they had expanded eligibility for members of the public to participate in the National Integrated Bio Big Data Project to include people who have not undergone health screenings. Anyone wishing to participate in the research can do so after completing the required testing procedures at a recruitment institution, even if they have not had a health screening.

File photo for illustrative purposes. Photo: The Asia Business Daily DB.

The National Integrated Bio Big Data Project is a national research and development (R&D) initiative that collects health and genetic information voluntarily donated by the public so it can be used for research. The data can be used to develop Korean medical AI, innovative new drugs and advanced medical devices, and to conduct precision medicine research tailored to individual characteristics.

Until now, the government recruited members of the public mainly from among people who had undergone national or comprehensive health screenings, in order to secure screening data and make participation more convenient. With the eligibility criteria now expanded, people who have not had a health screening can also participate after completing separate testing procedures. The broader eligibility is expected to expand the range of data available for research.

To announce the expanded participation, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will hold a bio-data donation event at 10 a.m. on the 15th at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Yonsei University, Seoul. About 40 people involved in health care and AI, including Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eunkyung, Ha Jungwoo, vice chair of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee, and Ko Sangbaek, president of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, are expected to donate biological samples after completing procedures including consent to participate, blood collection, and body measurements.

The government is also working to make research bio-data available for the first time this November. At a policy meeting following the event, participants will share updates on the project and plans for releasing the data, and discuss ways to use data for medical AI research.

In materials distributed in advance, Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eunkyung said, "The National Integrated Bio Big Data is a public asset made possible by the participation of each and every member of the public. Starting with the first data release in November, we will support the safe and extensive use of the data so that the benefits of medical innovation can be returned to the public."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.