CHINA GENETIC SERVICES PROVIDERS ATTITUDES TOWARDS SEVERAL ETHICAL ISSUES - A CROSS-CULTURAL SURVEY

Attitudes towards ethical, legal and social issues in genetic research and practice were investigated in 402 genetic services providers from 30 provinces and autonomous regions in China. This was done using a C hinese version of an international survey questionnaire on ethics and genetics that has been circulated in 37 nations. In all, 255 study par ticipants completed questionnaires (63%). The majority of the responde nts (89%) reported that they agreed with the current Chinese laws and regulations on termination of pregnancy for genetic abnormalities and non-medical indications, on the basis of considerations of population control and family planning. More than half the respondents opposed se x selection by prenatal diagnosis in the absence of an X-linked disord er, However, most of them (86%) would prefer directive counseling, Mor e than half would agree to disclose genetic information to relatives a t risk, and would permit third parties such as law enforcement agencie s, spouse partner, blood relatives, employers involving public safety, life and health insurers to access stored DNA without consent, The ma jority (73%-98%) also thought that DNA fingerprinting should be requir ed for prisoners convicted of or charged with crimes, members of armed forces and all newborns, Although these are only the first part of th e results of our international survey, they provide an initial basis f or international discussion on ethics and genetics in China.