1/. Ten days ago, @MattHancock launched " #GenomeUK: the future of healthcare", a major new 10-year genomic healthcare strategy

Happening on a Saturday without much fanfare, it didn't get much news coverage beyond the biomedical press

And yet this is big. https://twitter.com/MattHancock/status/1309788592919793665

2/. The launch of a new decade-long national health strategy should be big news at anytime, but coming amidst the #COVID19 pandemic & with the potential to shift genome research to the heart of No.10's programme for govt, it is of particular significance. https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1312857482969206784

3/. Genome research has HUGE potential social & cost benefits, not just in medicine

In the right hands & with the appropriate checks & balances it is very important but, when it is being rolled out by this govt in conjunction with companies like #Palantir, scrutiny is needed.

#Palanitir & #FacultyAI - who both have links with #CambridgeAnalytica - won the contract without tendering, to build an Covid Data Store

The contract permits processing of data including
racial origin
criminal records
mental health info
political affiliations
religion

5/. At the same time as 'winning' the NHS contract, #Palantir 'won' the contract to building the HHS "Protect Now" #COVID digital platform for the US Dept of Health

We only know about the detail of these contracts thanks to a lawsuit in the US & the threat of a lawsuit in the UK

6/. On 8 July, the UK govt sidelined SAGE in favour of the secretive Joint Biosecurity Centre headed by a senior spy

On 22 July, Downing St took control of data

On 14 July, Trump ordered hospitals to send all #COVID19 data to HHS Protect, run by #Palantir

Is there a pattern?

“We could close our eyes & pretend that contrary to all the evidence, #Palantir is a rights-respecting company or we can call this façade what it is: another company placing profit over people, no matter the human cost.” M. Kleinman, @amnestyusa Sept 2020.
https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1310729079419736066?s=21 https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1310729079419736066