The Chinese government has been investigating researchers and science firms that break data-sharing rules on citizens’ genetic data and material, with some scientists worrying the scrutiny is negatively impacting international research partnerships. Five companies and a research hospital were identified by the Chinese government in October, accused of violating sharing regulations that have been in place since 1998. These organizations were suspected of transferring human DNA samples or genetic data to other organizations in China or internationally without receiving permission from the Chinese science ministry’s human genetics office.

AstraZeneca’s Shanghai research center was caught transferring samples for creating diagnostic tests for predisposition to breast cancer to two Chinese companies, one in Xiamen and one in Beijing. Although the company was allowed to collect the samples, AstraZeneca claimed ignorance in needing authorization to transfer the genetic material to another entity in China.

BGI and Huashan Hospital in Shanghai were also accused of similar conduct: posting genetic information online without any approval as part of a large international study on the genetics of depression. The study was published in Nature in 2015 and was based on sequence data of over 10,000 Chinese women, and BGI recognized that it published the information without adequate permission. By request of the ministry, BGI stated that it has destroyed the data and requested the article be removed from Nature, although currently the article is still online. Both companies have accepted penalties from China’s government and although specific research projects were set back, the companies stated that they have not had any overall issues with their research.

Scientists and policymakers are concerned that the investigation may discourage scientists from sharing genetic data that has been collected in China, especially in this age of data sharing and transparency. While many countries have rules about how their citizens’ genetic material and data can be shared, the rules are not supposed to interfere with research, which is what scientists claim is happening in China. If the government continues to enforce the regulations, researchers worry that the country may become isolated from international research groups involved in genetic research.

Source: Nature