China issues strict guidelines on genetic resource study

China on Monday released a management regulation on human genetic resources, banning their commercial trade. The measure also requires foreign organizations to cooperate with the Chinese side when conducting research on the country's human genetic resources. 

Experts hailed the move claiming it will promote rational utilization of human genetic resources and contribute to global biomedical development.

Last month, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signed a state council order promulgating the regulation which is expected to go into effect on July 1, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The regulation stipulates that China prohibits the sale or purchase of human genetic resources. However, resources provided for scientific research with reasonable expenses shall not be deemed as illegal. 

The regulation also mandates the implementation of a declaration and registration system for genetic families and human genetic resources in specific regions. International organizations and institutions will be expected to cooperate with the Chinese when using domestic human genetic resources for scientific research.

The information on human genetic resources needs to be filed or backed up when used publicly or provided to overseas organizations, persons, or institutions established or controlled by foreign staff.  

The regulation stipulates that all information should pass security checks if it is suspected to affect China's public health, national security, and interests. 

Conducting biotech research and development activities or clinical tests must observe proper research and clinical application management laws, administrative, and relevant state regulations.  

The regulation is focused on protecting China's human genetic resources and preventing illegal access to use them for biotechnology research and development, such as the gene-edited twins case, the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Science and Technology said in a press release sent to the Global Times on Monday. 

Chinese scientist He Jiankui in November 2018 claimed to have created the world's first gene-edited twins immune to HIV, causing a global ethics whirlwind of condemnation and scorn. 

This followed the news of Shenzhen-listed genomics company BGI Genomic in October that was conducting an illegal genetics study with a foreign institute and exporting human genetic resources. 

China is home to the largest and most complete human genetic resources representing the East Asian population. Protecting and utilizing such resources will not only serve the health and well-being of the Chinese but also around the world, said Zhao Guoping, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 

The regulation also provides a legal guarantee for Chinese scientific researchers to enhance abilities and improve research levels by using human genetic resources to engage in joint efforts with the world's greatest research institutions, said Zhan Qimin, vice president of Peking University.

Human genetic resources are materials and information that can be used alone or in combination to identify human body characteristics. They are essential guarantees for the development of disease prevention, intervention, and control, and have become the strategic, public welfare and vital resources for health and life safety, said Jin Li, vice president of Fudan University.

Deng Xiaoci has contributed to this story