title: Risk of re-identification of epigenetic methylation data: a more nuanced response is needed.
abstract: In this letter to the editor, we respond to the recent publication by Philibert et al. Methylation array data can simultaneously identify individuals and convey protected health information: an unrecognized ethical concern (Clinical Epigenetics 2014, 6:28). Further discussion of the issues raised by the risk of re-identification of epigenetic methylation data is needed, and a more nuanced approach should be taken with respect to its implications for data sharing policy than the one provided.
authors.affiliation: McGill Epigenome Mapping Centre, Centre of Genomics and Policy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 740 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G1 Canada.
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Joly
authors.affiliation: McGill Epigenome Mapping Centre, Centre of Genomics and Policy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 740 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G1 Canada.
authors.forename: Stephanie Om
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Dyke
authors.affiliation: McGill Epigenome Mapping Centre, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, 740 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G1 Canada.
authors.forename: Warren A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Institute for Bioethics, Health Policy and Law, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 501 East Broadway, Suite #310, Louisville, KY 40292 USA.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rothstein
authors.affiliation: McGill Epigenome Mapping Centre, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, 740 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G1 Canada.
authors.forename: Tomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pastinen
keywords: Data sharing; Epigenome; Policy; Privacy