China is among one of the countries which can perform embryonic stem cell research (Fig 1). While stem cell research continues to be one of the most hotly debated topics in the Western world, relatively flexible government laws continue to attract both Western scientists and companies to China to conduct this controversial research.
Compared with most of the Western countries, China's culture has fewer religious or moral objections to the use of embryonic stem cells. The government has no qualms with funding this research when it is for academic, educational, or therapeutic purposes. In contrast to the UK and US policies which have been frequently amended, stem cell research in China is regulated by one guideline, which was jointly issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health in December 2003 and have been no amendments yet (Attachment1, 2).
There are increasing opportunities for Western companies in China for outsourcing R&D, licensing, partnerships, joint ventures, and technology transfer, particularly in the areas of stem cell research and gene therapy.
Therefore, China provides significant opportunities in stem cell research for Western companies to take advantage of.
Figure 1
- Dark brown: "permissive" = various embryonic stem cell derivation techniques including somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), also called research or therapeutic cloning.
- Light brown: "flexible" = derivations from fertility clinic donations only, excluding SCNT, and often under certain restrictions.
- Yellow: Restrictive policy or no established policy.
Attachments
1. 
nature article China policy.doc
2. Ethical Guiding Principles on Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research.doc
