China brings in regulations to put a stop to 'genetic piracy' Shanghai.
China has adopted a broad set of regulations on the collection and use of its 'human genetic resources' in an attempt to restrict their exploitation by foreign biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. China is becoming increasingly aware that its large population and relatively high number of distinct ethnic groups provide fertile ground for the search for disease genes that could hold the key to profitable diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Foreign companies have reportedly been obtaining data from studies carried out in China in collaboration with local researchers without obtaining official approval or ensuring any significant return to Chinese research institutions. The regulations also specify that, if valuable genetic information emerges from a collaboration between a Chinese research institution and a foreign organization, profits from the resultant patents should be shared in proportion to the contribution of the two bodies concerned. Requests for the approval of individual projects and for the export of genetic material will be examined and issued on a quarterly basis.