Jurisdictional challenges related to DNA data processing in transnational clouds

Genetic research has the potential to change how we diagnose, prevent and treat medical conditions, by making the diagnosis more precise and the prevention and treatment more personalized. However, such research cannot be carried without the collection , use and disclosure of sensitive data - our DNA. Furthermore, to be effective, such research currently depends on DNA data being shared across borders and processed in cloud computing arrangements. Thus, genetic research is global, but it is not regulated similarly across the world.
In this chapter, we examine the jurisdictional issues that arise in both private, and public, international law, where DNA data is stored or processed in transnational cloud computing arrangements. Further, the broad contours of a potential approach to dealing with those issues will commence with a brief discussion of what types of data we are dealing with here, what they are used for and the role cloud computing plays in the processing.