Legal boundaries of research to create inherited modifications of the human embryo genome in the people's Republic of China

Abstract

The growing impact of assisted reproductive technologies on the quality of human life and health has required the leading countries to establish a legal framework in the sphere of biomedical research. The question of the legitimacy of genetic modification of human embryos for reproductive purposes is particularly acute. The public and the scientific community give a controversial ethical assessment of the prospects for human DNA editing to new generations. This fact arouses interest in the legal environment of countries that have achieved some success in the sphere of medical innovation. The People's Republic of China was one of the first countries to declare successful genetic research with human embryos. The purpose of this work is to identify the legal boundaries of research to create inherited modifications of the human embryo genome in China. The methodology used in the research: dialectical method as a universal tool of cognition with method of dogmatic (formal-legal) analysis, discourse analysis and case study. By using these methods managed to structure and meaningfully disclose the regulatory framework of the PRC, regulating genetic research of the human embryo for reproductive purposes. The legal documents regulating preclinical and clinical embryo genome studies are summarized. The particular attention is paid to legal precedent of human DNA editing.