SHENZHEN will ban reproductive gene editing through legislation, according to a draft regulation on promoting cell and gene industry development that was handed to the lawmakers for review.

The legislation aims to facilitate the healthy, sustained and high-quality growth of the cell and gene industry, and improve the overall development of the biomedical industry, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

The draft makes many institutional innovations in cell collection and storage, cell and gene product research and development, clinical tests and gene technology applications.

Prior to conducting extended clinical trials of cell and gene medications, medical institutions should fully disclose the risks, adverse effects and remedies that may affect the patients’ decision making. The test subjects have the rights to withdraw from clinical tests at any time.

The draft also stipulates that health authorities must set up a cell and gene ethics review committee for the ethical review over cell and gene-related clinical research and tests.

(Han Ximin)