Keywords
Abstract
Cross-border genetic data sharing is essential for advancing global biomedical research but creates tensions between scientific collaboration and data sovereignty. This paper addresses the ethical and technical challenges of transnational genetic data flow by proposing a blockchain-based ethical firewall framework that implements differential privacy techniques and tiered access control mechanisms. The proposed architecture enables granular control over sensitive genomic information while facilitating legitimate research collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries. Our approach incorporates geopolitical sensitivity classification, context-aware data transformation, distributed consensus protocols, and transparent audit mechanisms. Implementation simulations demonstrate that the framework can reduce re-identification risk by 96% while preserving 87% of analytical utility for approved research purposes. The ethical firewall provides a technical foundation for resolving sovereignty conflicts in global genetic research collaborations while aligning with emerging international data governance frameworks and cultural perspectives on genetic privacy.