The burgeoning development of genetic technology has prompted legislative proposals from deputies to the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC).

One tenth of the nearly 3,000 NPC deputies asked the Fourth Session of the Ninth NPC, which ended yesterday, to consider making laws on the protection of gene varieties, the safety of genetically-modified foods and medicines and the management of the application of genetic technology.

Zhang Zhongli, an NPC deputy from Shanghai, headed a proposal to draw up a law on the protection of gene varieties, which he called "the most important resources" in the world.

Most developing countries, including China, are abundant in gene varieties, but are not rich enough to put as much money into gene research as developed countries, Zhang said.

China, the most populous nation in the world with more than 1.2 billion people, has a large variety of human genes as it has 56 ethnic groups.

China is the only developing country in the world that participated in the international Human Genome Project.

"We should work out a law to safeguard our gene varieties as soon as possible," he said.

China's genes should be declared natural resources of the State under the law, and the unauthorized collection of genes by any foreign institution or individual should be forbidden, he said in the proposal.

Zhang also suggested that confirmation of patent rights and the protection of privacy when it comes to each individual's personal genetic make-up, the prohibition of genetic discrimination and penalties for the abused application of genetic technology should be included in the law.

Gene technology is a "double-edged sword" that could negatively affect human beings, said Han Deguang, associate professor with the Chinese National Human Genome Centre in Shanghai.

For example, the abusive use of gene technology and the uncontrolled dissemination of genetic information might lead to discrimination when it comes to the granting of insurance or employment if the individual's genes are shown to carry abnormalities, which is a violation of that individual's privacy, he said.

Han agreed that it is necessary to make a law governing genetic technology research and its application.

However, Han said he worries that a State monopoly of human gene resources may jeopardize exchanges and co-operation among scientists at home or abroad.

"The law should be practical," he added.

Genetic technology is widely deemed to be the most important breakthrough of the last three decades of the previous century.

Despite the hope genetic research brings to finding of new medicines and treatments for diseases, the use of genetically-modified foods and plants has stirred up controversy due to fears about their safety and their side effects on the environment.

Chen Zhangliang, a Fujian NPC deputy, proposed that the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, the Environmental and Resources Protection Committee and the Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee under the NPC should combine their efforts in the lawmaking process.

"China needs the law on genetic products to help solve disputes over the export of genetically-modified products," said Chen, who is also a biologist with Peking University.

From ChinaDaily