Students of Minzu University of China (MUC) have expressed concerns regarding their privacy after claiming they were required to fill out a consent form that allowed the university to collect their gene samples for a pre-enrollment physical examination.
"We were asked to fill out a consent form for collecting gene samples. The university infirmary will take our blood and urine samples when the form is accomplished," said a student surnamed Zhang, according to a report by the Global Times on Thursday.
"DNA is something quite personal, I don't think the university has any right to take a sample from me. Some students I know were reluctant to fill out the form for privacy reasons," Zhang said.
A staff member from the university's infirmary claimed that giving DNA samples is voluntary, after being asked by the Beijing Times. The staff said that the samples will be used as part of China's 863 Program, with the whole procedure being safe and legal.
The 863 Program is backed and managed by the government to encourage the research and development of advanced technologies in different scientific fields, including genetic engineering.
"Most students support our research, only a few refused to donate their DNA samples. We hope to encourage our students to contribute to China's science and research program," the staff member told the Beijing Times.
"The pre-enrollment physical examination is required by the Ministry of Education, not by the university. We haven't violated any regulation," said a different staff member to the Global Times. The staff member declined to comment when asked if the Ministry of Education also required collecting gene samples.
According to regulations released by the Ministry of Education in 1998, all incoming university students have to undergo a complete physical examination. The regulations include standards and procedures--which do not include collecting DNA samples--that universities must strictly follow.
MUC was established in 1941 and designated to aid in the education of China's 55 ethnic minority groups, with students required to take classes in Chinese minority theories. Currently, 54 percent of the students identify as part of a minority group.