Gene Editing Babies in China: From the Perspective of Responsible Research and Innovation

Analysis of ethics dumping and proposed solutions in the field of biomedical research in China

“…Due to the relatively low level of scientific and technological development and disciplinary establishment, as well as the small size of research teams in interdisciplinary fields such as bioethics and biomedical ethics, there are inherent weaknesses in China’s ethics governance and oversight mechanisms. Taking the CRISPR baby scandal as an example, both the Southern University of Science and Technology and the hospital that approved Jiankui He’s research lacked effective ethical review prior to the start of clinical trials and corresponding supervision throughout the entire process ( Yan et al, 2021 ). Although Jiankui He’s actions violated many Chinese regulations and guidelines, including ( Wang et al, 2019 ; Peng et al, 2020 ): Ethical Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research (2003), the Ethics Principles for Human Assisted Reproductive Technology and Human Sperm Bank (2003), Measures for Ethical Review of Life Science and Biomedical Research Involving Humans (2016), and the Safety Management Measures for Biotechnology Research and Development (2017), the fact that these regulations and guidelines were merely departmental rules or normative documents lacked or even without legally binding, corresponding accountability, and punitive measures.…”