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Human mitochondrial DNA in public metagenomes: Opportunity or privacy threat?

Cell
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.03.023
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Abstract

Human DNA is unavoidably present in metagenomic analyses of human microbiomes. While current protocols remove human DNA before submission to public repositories, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been overlooked and frequently persists. We discuss the privacy risks and research opportunities associated with mtDNA, urging consideration by the scientific, ethics, and legal communities.

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Sarhan, M. S., Antonello, G., Weissensteiner, H., Mengoni, C., Mascalzoni, D., Waldron, L., … Fuchsberger, C. (2025, May 15). Human mitochondrial DNA in public metagenomes: Opportunity or privacy threat? Cell. Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2025.03.023

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