New correspondence on the use of non-fungible tokens for the management of health data, from DanielTing20 and Zhen Ling Teo NUSingapore
for a glossary of terms). The use of non-fungible tokens is a potential data-management solution for the governance of data at both personal and institutional levels.Tokenization is a data-security method and token types include platform tokens, utility tokens, governance tokens, security tokens, and NFTs. NFTs are supported on blockchain platforms such as Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric, where each NFT is digitally unique.
Storing health data as NFTs can also ensure data authenticity by preventing modifications once data have undergone minting. Data integrity contributes to quality health care during clinical decision-making processes and will also contribute to more-accurate findings in research. The use of blockchain technology could also be used for drug verification to prevent counterfeit drugs. The use of smart contracts within NFTs further allows for reliable automation of data exchange.
A web-based or smartphone application could be created, in which each patient has a health wallet, similar to a cryptocurrency wallet, where tokenized digital health data can be accessed as NFTs via verifiable credentials. The health data to be tokenized must be characterized, which will involve determining whether the data are structured or unstructured and whether preprocessing of the data is required.
Despite the potential benefits, however, there are barriers to the adoption of NFTs in health care. NFTs are susceptible to data security compromises owing to vulnerabilities with smart contracts. Stolen NFTs are not uncommon, as seen in the theft of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, where hackers used phishing techniques to modify smart contracts. Moreover, tokenization of health data could lead to unethical exploitation, with patients being driven to participate in tests for monetary gains.
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