Ethical issues in human genome studies were heatedly discussed Saturday by experts from home and abroad in an open forum prior to the seventh Human Genome Meeting (HGM) which opened in Shanghai on Sunday.

Bartha Knoppers, chairperson of the International Ethics Committee of the Human Genome Organization said heated discussions on the human genome studies always took place before the formal convening of the annual conference.

This year, the ethical aspects of human cloning were the major topic.

She said that her committee always committed itself to work out an ethical framework for future human genome research, because there were not enough ethics guidelines and criteria to direct research on human genomes.

Hu Qingli, a Chinese expert with 20-odd years experience in the World Health Organization (WHO) said that genome research plays a vital role in human health, because scientists had found more than 5,000 diseases had a direct bearing on transmitted genes.

At the same time, gene research involved many racial issues, therefore ethics experts should participate in the research too.

Qiu Renzong, professor with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that with the rapid development of life sciences and biological technologies, ethical puzzles often occurred.

Therefore, only after ethical regulations were completed, could the development of biological technologies go more smoothly, he added.

All the experts who attended the forum reached consensus that gene research was important, but without accurate ethical direction, it could go down the wrong road.

Ole Doering, professor with the German Institute of Asian Affairs, said that different countries had different understandings of ethical issues in life sciences due to their different cultural, historical and religious backgrounds.

Therefore, the countries should outline their criteria for gene research with full consideration of their own situations.

The WHO is to release a new book, titled "Genetics and World Health" on April 27, giving ethical regulations to direct future genome studies.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2002)