Regulations on Management of Human Genetic Resources has been Released

BEIJING June 10 (Xinhua) Premier Li Keqiang signed a State Council decree to publish Regulations on Management of Human Genetic Resources, which will take effect from July 1.

First, protection will be strengthened. According to the Regulations, the Chinese government will conduct surveys on human genetic resources and establish a system for application and registration of important genetic genealogy and human genetic resources in designated areas. Foreign organizations and individuals, as well as organizations established or controlled by them, should cooperate with Chinese partners when they need to get access to China’s human genetic resources for scientific researches. Any act to make human genetic resources information open to the public or to provide such information to foreign countries should be recorded; any act that might pose a threat to public health, national security or public interest should be subject to security examination.

Second, proper use will be encouraged. According to the Regulations, the country will support proper use of human generic resources to conduct scientific researches, develop biomedicine, and improve diagnostic and treatment technologies, so as to uphold China’s biological security and improve people’s health. Relevant departments should make a holistic and reasonable plan to put an innovation system in place, and promote innovation and coordinated development of biological technologies and industries; they should also support in accordance with laws and regulations the use of human generic resources for research and development, as well as the application of scientific results.

Third, regulations will be strengthened. According to the Regulations, those who collect, preserve, use or provide China’s human genetic resources abroad should follow ethical codes, protect legitimate rights and interests of providers and meet relevant technical standards, with no violations on the country’s public health, national security, and public interests. Biological research and development as well as clinical tests should be in line with China’s administrative laws and regulations and relevant rules. The Regulations also clarify conditions and procedures for examination and approval of collecting and preserving China’s human generic resources and the use of such resources to engage in international scientific researches.

Fourth, services and regulations will be optimized. According to the Regulations, administrative departments concerning science and technology should optimize services, including easier access to online examination, approval and recording, and strengthen supervision and inspection of collecting, preserving, using, and providing human genetic resources abroad. In addition, the Regulations will also improve relevant laws and enhance penalties.

July 15, 2019

Source: Beijing Daily

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