BIOETHICS:Biotechnology, stem cell research and genetic engineering are crucial elements in China's drive to become a more innovative nation. But difficulties in implementing a growing raft of rules governing the biotech industry means these revolutionary sciences develop quickly, but the process is also open to abuse.
The challenge in China has become matching the technological advances with a suitable bioethical and enforceable legal framework, scientists say.
The Chinese government has identified stem cell research as a key strategic field, and provides direct funding for research and development through the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation.
There is a diversified focus on, firstly, laboratory research, aiming to improve procedures for deriving and cultivating stem cell lines, and secondly, clinical research into potential stem cell applications in neurodegenerative diseases, muscular dystrophy and other diseases.
Sometimes this research has produced startling results, an intense form of globalisation. Cui Jianming, 28, a young cadre from Shanghai, had stem cells withdrawn at Huashan hospital before they were sent to treat a leukaemia patient, Lim Sun Young, in South Korea. It was the first time stem cells from Shanghai had been donated abroad, but he was the city's 118th and China's 873rd stem cell donor, according to China's Stem Cell Donors' Bank.
"I did not hesitate to donate my stem cells at all. I felt excited when I thought my little contribution could save a life, which equals saving a whole family," Cui said in a case that was widely covered in the Shanghai media.
China has a long history of ethical codes of medical practice dating back to the 4th century BC. More recently, the government has introduced all kinds of laws aimed at monitoring medicine.
Prof Cong Yali of the medical ethics programme at Peking University's Dept of Medical Humanities said bioethics is increasingly on the agenda in China.
"More and more biomedical scientists in China know the name of bioethics and know about the ethical requirements when contributing to medical journals," said Prof Cong.
She has been taking part in the Bionet project since 2006, and believes it offers a good opportunity for Chinese scientists to learn about governance issues.
"The Chinese government supports such a way and I believe we can make some progress through Bionet in this way," she said.
Judging just what is the view of bioethics among the people in China is a difficult question to answer. There is a debate in China about the ethics of stem cell technology, about whether the medical benefits outweigh the ethical arguments. China's famous pragmatism tends to win out among the rank and file.
"For the common people, they don't think there are serious ethical issues in stem cell research, even if the stem cell comes from an embryo, once the research is used for the useful treatment of diseases," said Prof Cong.
"For the academic, there are still very, very few articles or papers which examine the Chinese culture on this point," said Prof Cong. Her own research among colleagues and researchers has shown a certain discomfort when faced with a mouse embryo, say, but more analysis is needed.
A major issue in China is human clinical testing. Students take part in testing to pay for their college fees, and sick people will often undergo experimental treatment for incurable illnesses.
"There is no evidence to show the results, but these patients have to pay a lot of money for this," said Prof Cong.
The government has expressed its concern about this.
The health ministry and the ministry of science and technology in Beijing have issued rules in the past two years on biomedical research involving human subjects, but there are fears about the implementation of the new rules.
While medical research using human embryos and foetuses is highly controversial in Ireland, there is agreement in the scientific community that embryonic and foetal cells could one day lead to revolutionary cures and China has become a leader in this field, developing experimental therapies in the laboratory and moving them quickly into hospitals. The government has invested millions of euro in research using stem cells from foetuses.
The next round of the Bionet meeting takes place in Changsha - birthplace of Chairman Mao - in April.
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