China's Genetic Data: A Hidden Treasure It Refuses to Share

China is investing heavily in its efforts to become a global leader in the biosciences by collecting and asserting more oversight over its vast genetic data resources. The government has launched a "national genetic survey" to centralize and standardize existing data, while also tightening controls on foreign access. However, experts warn that this genetic hoarding could hinder international research collaboration and backfire on China's own aspirations. The country's fragmented biobanking system and scattered databases pose challenges, and the new regulations aim to address these issues. China's strict approach to genetic material is driven by concerns over illegal outflow and a desire for "genomic sovereignty," but it risks hindering scientific advancement and collaboration.