The introduction of ethical regulations in medicine in China might seem at odds with the country's social and moral reality, and there are concerns about whether China is prepared to embrace the standards it claims to have adopted.

Although all countries need to develop up-to-date bioethics, China is unique in having to deal with social, institutional and economic reforms, and the introduction of a modern system of education, technical and legal international standards at the same time.

In an article in this month's Nature Reviews Genetics, Ole Döring reviews the current policies on medical ethics in China, and reflects on the conceptual, legal and practical challenges particularly surrounding informed consent.

Link to full Nature Reviews Genetics article

Reference: Nature Reviews Genetics 4, 233 (2003)