China considers 1 mln yuan fine for unapproved genetic research

The Chinese government will fine organizations doing genetic research in the country without authorization up to 1 million yuan (152,900 U.S. dollars), a draft rule said Thursday.

"Without approval, organizations and individuals may not sample, collect or conduct international cooperation on human genetic resources, nor can they take resources outside the country," according to a rule released by the legislative office of the State Council for public opinion.

No organizations or individuals can trade on the resources, it said.

Violators will be confiscated the resources, fined from 200,000 yuan to 1 million yuan and banned from engaging in research activities for two years. They may also face criminal penalties, according to the draft rule.

As defined in the draft, "human genetic resources" refer to genetic materials such as human organs, tissue, cells, DNA and DNA products, all of which contain the human genome, genes or gene products, as well as information extracted from the materials.

"Strengthening management over the resources is an important measure for safeguarding national and racial security," read the draft rule.

Overseas organizations and organizations with foreign investment, including the sino-foreign joint ventures, can not conduct genetic research unless they are working with a Chinese organization.

It also stipulates that the researchers must respect China's national sovereignty and must not jeopardize or pose risks for national and social security.

The researchers should equally treat the providers of the resources and protect their rights. They could not gain such resources via illegal means such as cheating or threatening the providers. Endi