An Overview of the Latest Human Genetic Resources Regime in China

On July 1, 2019, the Administrative Regulations on Human Genetic Resources (人类遗传资源管理条例) (the “Regulations”) issued by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) came into effect. On October 17, 2020, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress promulgated the Biosecurity Law (中华人民共和国生物安全法) (the “Biosecurity Law”), which came into effect as of April 15, 2021. Having replaced its predecessor, the Interim Measures for the Administration of HGR (人类遗传资源管理暂行办法), the Regulations now form the basis of PRC’s regime on its human genetic resources, and govern the collection, preservation, use, and external provision of human genetic resources abroad. The Biosecurity Law further reinforces the Regulations by asserting PRC’s sovereignty over its human genetic resources and re-iterating certain key provisions under the Regulations.

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