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Acta Bioethica

SciELO Chile

The criminal law regulatory logic and future pathways of gene editing technology in China: seven years after “gene-edited babies”

Authors

  • Li Zhenkang Southwest University of Political Science and Law
Vol. 32 No. 1 (2026): DESAFÍOS ÉTICOS EN LA SOCIEDAD DIGITAL
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Abstract

The 2018 “gene-edited babies” incident marked a critical turning point in China’s criminal regulation of gene editing. Before the incident, China largely relied on administrative rules and ethical guidelines to govern gene-editing activities, without a systematic criminal legal framework or comprehensive regulatory mechanisms. In the aftermath, China intensified its efforts to establish stronger legal controls over gene-editing technology. This study examines the regulatory landscape seven years after the event, integrating empirical data on public awareness and perceptions of gene editing with a literature-based legal analysis of the current legislative framework and its deficiencies. Through this dual approach, the paper aims to deepen understanding of the evolution of China’s criminal regulation of gene editing and to provide policy insights for China and other developing countries seeking to strike a balance between scientific innovation and ethical as well as legal accountability.

Keywords:

gene editing technology, criminal regulation, ethical issues, China
How to Cite
Zhenkang, L. . (2026). The criminal law regulatory logic and future pathways of gene editing technology in China: seven years after “gene-edited babies”. Acta Bioethica, 32(1), 79–87. Retrieved from https://actabioethica.uchile.cl/index.php/AB/article/view/83398
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Acta Bioethica
Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios en Bioética
Universidad de Chile
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