Article ID: CBB001420872

China's “Gene War of the Century” and Its Aftermath: The Contest Goes On (2013)

unapi

Following the successful cloning of genes for mostly rare genetic diseases in the early 1990s, there was a nearly universal enthusiasm that similar approaches could be employed to hunt down genes predisposing people to complex diseases. Around 1996, several well-funded international gene-hunting teams, enticed by the low cost of collecting biological samples and China's enormous population, and ushered in by some well-connected Chinese intermediaries, came to China to hunt down disease susceptibility genes. This alarmed and, in some cases, enraged many poorly funded Chinese scientists, who perceived them as formidable competitors. Some depicted foreign gene-hunters as greedy pilferers of the vast Chinese genetic gold mine, comparing it to the plundering of national treasures from China by invaders in the past, and called upon the government and their fellow countrymen to rise up and protect China's genetic gold mine. Media uproar ensued, proclaiming the imminent gene war of the century. This article chronicles the key events surrounding this war and its aftermath, exposes some inherent complexities in identifying susceptibility genes for complex diseases, highlights some issues obscured or completely overlooked in the passionate and patriotic rhetoric, and debunks some misconceptions embedded in this conflict. In addition, it argues that during the entire course of this war, the public's interest went conspicuously unmentioned. Finally, it articulates several lessons that can be learned from this conflict, and outlines challenges facing human genetics researchers.

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Authors & Contributors
Bruner, Justin P.
James Owen Weatherall
O'Connor, Cailin
Fotopoulou, Aristea
Stephens, Neil
Shineha, Ryuma
Concepts
Public opinion
Public understanding of science
Mass media
Cloning of organisms
Communication of scientific ideas
Controversies and disputes
Time Periods
21st century
20th century, late
Places
China
Great Britain
United States
Japan
Netherlands
Canada
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