[bnprks]

I think this 2019 article from the NY Times gives a reasonable introduction [1]. In short, the concern is that China is developing genetic databases as part of its state surveillance and repression of the Uighur people in Xinjiang. So the idea might be, for example, that if the Chinese state can obtain the DNA of a dissident they can identify family members to threaten or harass.

The research in question is directly related to finding and cataloging genetic markers that could be used in such a surveillance database. And with no way to credibly verify that the genetic samples were given with full consent, it seems probable that the studies themselves were part of this project to create an Orwellian surveillance state for certain minorities in China. Needless to say, western journals would prefer to not be accomplices to these human rights abuses, hence the retractions.

[1]: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/21/business/china-xinjiang-u...

[goodSteveramos]

>no way to credibly verify that the genetic samples were given with full consent

Is there evidence to believe these specific tests did not have consent or are the journals saying that the fact that these studies were done in China is reason enough to refuse to publish any genetics papers from China? Also is there specific reason to believe these databases have been misused or is that simply a concern that has been raised?

My apologies if you don’t have all the answers the reporting seems scant on details.

[bnprks]

I think it is known that the Chinese state is making genetic databases of these minority populations and is taking genetic samples without consent. It's also known that the Chinese state is committing human rights violations against these minorities. I have not personally read reporting about specific ways the genetic samples have been used in fact, though.

In a US lab, for instance, I would expect that a similar genetic study would have hard-copy signed consent forms from every participant in the study with 3-6 year retention requirements, and this could be audited by their institution's IRB if there were concerns. (Ultimately I think there is an accountability chain all the way to the US federal government, though I'm not familiar with how the institutional IRBs are monitored). I don't know what equivalent institutions might exist in China, and whether the journals got/requested any verification of consents from them.

Though for papers like these where co-authors have affiliations with police departments or academies, I'm not sure how trustworthy it would be even if the police did claim they had evidence of consent for the data in these papers. (Given that Chinese police are known to be collecting genetic samples without consent in some documented cases.)