On the exercise of the right to withdraw consent by human genetic resources providers

On the exercise of the right to withdraw consent by human genetic resources providers
Qi Su, Jing Zhang, Ping Wang`
Chinese Medical Ethics, 2024; 37(8) pp 896-902
Abstract
To fully respect the true meaning and self-determination of human genetic resources providers, the Regulation on the Administration of Human Genetic Resources gives the providers the right to withdraw unconditionally at any time, that is, the right to withdraw consent. “Withdraw unconditionally at any time” means that the providers have the right to withdraw their consent at any stage without any adverse consequences. To ensure that the right to withdraw the consent of human genetic resources providers can be realized under the rule of law, adequate information should be provided to ensure the provider’s right to know, institutional management systems and withdrawal mechanisms should be established, and ethical reviews should be strengthened, which will ultimately produce legal effects, such as providers’ termination of participation, the destruction or deletion of genetic resources and no further use.

Editor’s note: This is a Chinese language publication from Xi’an Jiaotong University.