Punishment prescribed for medical workers who violate ethics

Medical workers who are found to have violated medical ethics will be given administrative punishment, according the latest draft law on promotion of basic medical and health care.

The draft was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, for a third reading on Aug 22. The first and second reading took place in December 2017 and October, respectively.

The new rule was added upon legislators' suggestion that healthcare workers should shoulder legal responsibility if they fail to abide by the code of medical ethics when conducting research or delivering medical services.

Health authorities above the county level will hand administrative penalties, according to the draft law. In China, such penalties include ordering the person to stop production or business, withdrawing or impounding a permit, confiscating illegal earnings and large fines.

The ethical issue in the country's medical and scientific research sector was thrust into the spotlight recently after a Chinese scientist, He Jiankui, claimed in November that he used a gene-editing technology known as CRISPR, to alter the embryonic genes of twin girls, meant to give the girls immunity against HIV infection.

His statement sparked a global outcry, and experts have since called for stronger regulation over the ethical behavior of medical professionals.