18 Chinese Genetics Papers Retracted Over Human Rights Concerns

Facts

• Wiley's Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine (MGGM) journal has retracted 18 Chinese papers, published between 2019-2021, due to human rights concerns surrounding means of collecting DNA data.¹
• Previously, objections raised by University of Leuven (Belgium) Prof. Yves Moreau in 2021 over the ethics and means of DNA collection within MGGM's papers concerning Chinese ethnic minorities led to eight out of the 25 members of MGGM's board to resign.²
• Retraction notices in relation to the papers state that, following an ethical review, “inconsistencies” were found between “consent documentation” and “research reported.”³
• Retracted articles include DNA analysis from ethnic populations including Tibetan, Yi, Han, Chinese Mongolian, Chinese Hui, Hainan Hlai, Guizhou Tujia, and others.⁴
• The government has requested all Chinese universities complete audits concerning retracted papers by Feb. 15. Scientific journal Nature claims that, from its analysis, over 17K retraction notices for papers published by Chinese co-authors have been issued since Jan. 1, 2021.⁵
• China has received international criticism for alleged human rights violations of the country’s ethnic minorities, including alleged forced labor and detention camps in its Xinjiang province.⁶

Sources: ¹Guardian, ²Intercept, ³Pubmed (a), ⁴Pubmed (b), ⁵Nature and ⁶Council on Foreign Relations.

Narratives

• Pro-China narrative, as provided by China Daily. China continues to uphold human rights as an integral foundation of the country’s value system. China would be nothing without its people, and it will continue to make strides in defending every citizen’s basic rights — ethnic communities included.
• Anti-China narrative, as provided by Human Rights Watch. China is among a number of countries flouting human rights standards with little consequence. The international community must do more to stop domestic abuses of power against ethnic minorities, or else governments such as Beijing's will continue to oppress those who are vulnerable.

Predictions