Genomic Security in the Criminal Policies of the BRICS Countries
https://doi.org/10.21684/2412-2343-2024-11-4-108-125
Abstract
This article is devoted to the legislative regulation, court practice, and criminal policy in the field of genomic security within the jurisdiction of the BRICS countries. Researchers examine China’s experience with national legal regulation on matters related to genomics, the legal practices regarding genomic security in India, and the legal experience with genetic regulation of South Africa. For the longest time, the Chinese model of legal regulation had remained in its infancy; however, the high-profile case of a biologist named He Jiankui, who genetically edited the human genome, raised ethical issues that necessitated urgent legislative settlement. As a result, amendments were introduced to the criminal and civil codes and stricter state control was established over the research activities of scientists and the licensing of clinical trials. In South Africa, for instance, tribal genomic sovereignty is protected by local laws. Nevertheless, the free circulation of genetic data is a cause for concern, licensing control by the South African government is not adequately developed, and there is a lack of sufficient knowledge and training among scientists.
Keywords
About the Authors
E. TrikozRussian Federation
Elena Trikoz (Moscow, Russian Federation) – Associate Professor, Faculty of International Law, MGIMO University; Law Institute, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia; Department of International Law, Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
53/2, Bldg. 1 Ostozhenka St., Moscow, 119034, Russian Federation
E. Gulyaeva
Russian Federation
Elena Gulyaeva (Moscow, Russian Federation) – Associate Professor, Department of International Law, Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
53/2, Bldg. 1 Ostozhenka St., Moscow, 119034, Russian Federation
D. R. Brasil
Brazil
Deilton Ribeiro Brasil (Itaúna, Brazil) – PhD in Law, University of Itaúna; Post-Doctorate in Law, University of Messina
Rodovia MG 431 Km 45, s/n, Itaúna/MG, 35680-142, Brazil
References
1. Arbour, L., & Cook, D. (2006). DNA on Loan: Issues to Consider when Carrying Out Genetic Research with Aboriginal Families and Communities. Community Genetics, 9(3), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1159/000092651
2. Cyranoski, D. (2019, May 20). China Set to Introduce Gene-Editing Regulation Following CRISPR-Baby Furore. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-01580-1
3. De Vries, J., et al. (2012). Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in the Context of the Planning Stages of the Southern African Human Genome Programme. Medicine & Law, 31, 119–152.
4. Dhillon, M., et al. (2021). The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019: A Critical Analysis. ILI Law Review, Winter Issue, 278–301.
5. Jing-Bao, N. (2018, December 8). He Jiankui’s Genetic Misadventure: Why Him? Why China? The Hastings Center. https://www.thehastingscenter.org/jiankuis-genetic-misadventure-china/
6. Krasheninnikova, N., & Trikoz, E. (2022). Criminal Protection of Women’s Rights in India: History and Modernity. Bulletin of St. Petersburg University, Law, 13(1), 230–245. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu14.2022.113
7. Krimsky, S. (2019). Ten Ways in Which He Jiankui Violated Ethics. Nat Biotechnology, 37(1), 19–20. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.4337
8. Kumar, S. (2018). Legal Status of Human Genetic Material – A Study Relating to Human DNA its Ethical Problems and Law. Rawat Prakashan.
9. Li, J.-r., et al. (2019). Experiments that Led to the First Gene-Edited Babies: The Ethical Failings and the Urgent Need for Better Governance. Journal of Zhejiang University Science, 20(1), 32–38. https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.b1800624
10. Melnikova, E., et al. (2019). International Practices of Registration and Use of Drugs for Gene Therapy in Clinical Practice. Antibiotics and Chemotherapy, 64(1-2), 58–68.
11. Mishra, B. (2007). DNA & Indian Legal System. The Shillong Times.
12. Neethling J. et al. (2005). Neethling’s Law of Personality. LexisNexis Butterworths.
13. Qiu, J. (2019, March 5). China Creating National Medical Ethics Committee to Oversee High-Risk Clinical Trials. STAT. https://www.statnews.com/2019/03/05/china-creating-national-medical-ethics-committee
14. Singh, S. Ch. (2011). DNA Profiling and the Forensic Use of DNA Evidence in Criminal Proceedings. Journal of the Indian Law Institute, 53.
15. Travieso, J., et al. (2021). Bioethical Aspects of Human Rights in Modern Latin America. Kutafin Law Review, 8(1), 85–98. https://doi.org/10.17803/2313-5395.2021.1.15.085-098
16. Trikoz, E., & Gulyaeva, E. (2021). Ecological Cases of the ECtHR and the Environmental Risk of GMO. E3S Web of Conferences, 12024, 244–245.
17. Trikoz, E. (2021). Criminal Law Codification of the Norms of Genomic Law in the EU and BRICS Countries. In XI International Congress of Comparative Law “Emergency Situations: Problems of Legal Regulation in Modern Society”. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4126519
18. Vasiliev, S. (2020). Analysis of Administrative and Legal Regulation of Genomic Medicine in China. Bulletin of South Ural State University, Law Series, 20(3), 110–117. (In Russian). https://doi.org/10.14529/law200316
19. Wright, G., et al. (2013). Ethical and Legal Implications of Whole Genome and Whole Exome Sequencing in African Populations. British Medical Council Journal of Medical Ethics, 14(1), 21–40. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6939-14-21
20. Yanan, W., & Fu, T. (2019, February 27). China Drafts Rules on Biotech after Gene-Editing Scandal. Associated Press. https://www.apnews.com/47aa8ffa382c4ae19eb6ec202f93ddf8
21. Yoshizawa, G., et al. (2014). ELSI Practices in Genomic Research in East Asia: Implications for Research Collaboration and Public Participation. Genome Medicine, 6(5). https://doi.org/10.1186/gm556
22. Yotova, R. (2020). Regulating Genome Editing under International Human Rights Law. International & Comparative Law Quarterly, 69(3), 653–684. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020589320000184
Review
For citations:
Trikoz E., Gulyaeva E., Brasil D.R. Genomic Security in the Criminal Policies of the BRICS Countries. BRICS Law Journal. 2024;11(4):108-125. https://doi.org/10.21684/2412-2343-2024-11-4-108-125