International policies call for the rapid public release of all sequence data [30–32]. The benefit of public data access is that it provides significant scientific utility by enabling immediate international research use of the data. However, policies that advocate unrestricted data sharing have been challenged because of the privacy risks associated with public access to genomic information [33,34]. Whole-genome research increases these privacy concerns, particularly the uncertainties surrounding the implications of the data. As a result, a cautious approach seems warranted. Investigators and research ethics boards need to carefully consider whether public data release is warranted.

References 30 to 34 in the above excerpt are:

30. The Wellcome Trust (2003) Sharing data from large-scale biological research projects: A system of tripartite responsibility. Available: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/assets/wtd003207.pdf. Accessed 14 February 2008. [See also: http://www.genome.gov/Pages/Research/WellcomeReport0303.pdf]
31. Genome Canada (2005) Data release and resource sharing policy. Available: http://www.genomecanada.ca/xcorporate/policies/DataReleasePolicy.pdf. Accessed 14 February 2008.
32. National Human Genome Research Institute (2003) Reaffirmation and extension of NHGRI rapid data release policies: Large-scale sequencing and other community resource projects. Available: http://www.genome.gov/10506537. Accessed 14 February 2008.
33. McGuire AL, Gibbs RA (2007) No longer de-identified. Science 312: 370-371 doi:10.1126/science.1125339.
34. Lowrance WW, Collins FS (2007) Identifiability in genomic research. Science 317: 600-602 doi:10.1126/science.1147699.