The Future of Everything: “Kuang Xu: How to Make (and Keep) Genetic Data Private”

If/Then: Research findings to help us navigate complex issues in business, leadership, and society

One underappreciated fact about the explosion in genetic databases, like consumer sites that provide information about ancestry and health, is that they unlock valuable insights not only into an individual’s past and future, but also for that individual’s entire family.

This raises serious concerns about privacy for people who have never submitted their genetic information for analysis, yet share much the same code as one who did.

This week on If/Then, we’re sharing an interview from The Future of Everything with Stanford GSB Professor Kuang Xu. Xu is an expert in how genetic information can and should be used. He says that the DNA problem weighs heavily on privacy experts in fields ranging from law and engineering to public health and criminal justice.

The fundamental question is: Can we create methods for accessing genetic data while maximizing the privacy of all involved?

The Future of Everything is Produced by Stanford Engineering. For a full transcript of this episode, visit The Future of Everything’s website.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Kevin Cool introduces an episode featuring The Future of Everything podcast with host Russ Altman and guest Kuang Xu, a professor at the GSB.

(00:03:24) Genetic Technology and Privacy Risks

The key ideas and methodology behind making genetic searches more private.

(00:06:23) Social Network and Genealogy in Genetic Searches

How a genealogy network functions as a social network in genetic searches.

(00:09:23) Technical Aspects of Securing Genetic Data

The difference between sequential and static methods for genetic searches.

(00:11:19) Practical Application of Sequential Methods

Ways the sequential search method could be applied without compromising privacy.

(00:12:43) First Steps in Sequential Search

What the first steps would look like when using the sequential search method.

(00:14:41) Balancing Accuracy and Privacy

Whether the new privacy methods compromise accuracy in identifying individuals.

(00:15:22) Applications in Genetic Research

How privacy methods can apply to genetic research for disease prediction and beyond.

(00:18:22) Insights During Research

Surprise findings from Kuang’s research on genetic privacy.

(00:21:28) Privacy Beyond Genetics

The possibility of applying these privacy techniques to other sensitive datasets.

(00:22:58) Commercial Interest in Privacy Solutions

The interest from companies in adopting these privacy innovations.

(00:24:09) Genetics and Business School Connection

Kuang’s work at Stanford’s School of Business and how it connects to genetics and privacy.

(00:25:30) Emergency Room Waiting Times

Research related to reducing waiting times in emergency rooms.

(00:26:57) In-Person Voting and COVID-19 Spread

Overview of data collected during in-person voting during COVID-19.

(00:27:54) Conclusion

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.