How China is sharpening ethics rules for scientific research

Experts caution more clarity is needed for biotech and AI experiments

20230706 Chinese scientist He Jiankui file photo

He Jiankui at the International Summit on Human Genome Editing, University of Hong Kong, 2018: He sparked near universal condemnation for creating the world's first gene-edited babies. © Reuters

XU LUVI and KELLY WANG, Caixin

In late 2018, news of the world's first gene-edited babies sent shock waves across the scientific community, resulting in almost-universal condemnation for the Chinese scientist behind the experiment that broke ethical norms.

Less than one year later, the country's top state and party decision-making bodies jointly announced the establishment of a National Science and Technology Ethics Commission, which has since set up three subcommittees covering life sciences, medicine and artificial intelligence (AI).

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.