[Genetic data sharing: a new type of capital]

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
• Digital Economy
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Background:

• North American biotech companies have advanced genetic data processing over three decades.
• Traditional academic platforms are being outperformed by biotech firms adopting new economic models.
• Web 2.0 principles have enabled large-scale user participation in data generation and sharing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the economic model employed by biotech companies in genetic data management.
• To investigate the implications of user data as a form of payment for digital services.
• To understand the transformation of genetic data into capital within the digital economy.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the two-sided market economic model in the biotech industry.
• Examination of web 2.0 principles applied to data sharing platforms.
• Assessment of the commercial exchange dynamics in genetic data sharing.

Main Results:

• Biotech firms have successfully implemented a two-sided market, enhancing genetic data production and analysis.
• User data, including genetic information, serves as the de facto currency for accessing digital networks and services.
• Genetic data is increasingly treated as a valuable commodity or capital in the digital economy.

Conclusions:

• The biotech industry's adoption of the two-sided market model has revolutionized genetic data handling.
• The concept of "data sharing" in this context represents a commercial transaction where data is the payment.
• Genetic data has transitioned from a purely scientific entity to a form of digital capital.