China Orders Mandatory Blood Samples From All Men As Xi Jinping Government Faces Global Backlash

International News: Men in China are being asked to submit blood samples. Police in Jilinhot, a city in northern China, announced they will be compulsorily collecting blood samples from all male residents to create a large DNA database. The police notice stated that this move was necessary to strengthen public security and improve citizen information.

But this move has sparked a debate in China about law and privacy. Experts say this has never happened before in China and has no international precedent. Let's find out what Chinese President Xi Jinping is planning.

What is the rationale behind taking blood samples?

According to the information, blood samples will be directly linked to passports, national identity cards, and other documents. According to officials, this system will also help locate missing persons and verify identities. Under China's Personal Information Protection Law, collecting sensitive information like DNA requires written permission and clear requirements. However, the Jilinhot notice did not specify how long the data would be retained or what rights individuals would have.

What are the concerns related to this?

The program's focus on men suggests that police may conduct Y-STR testing, which can include the father's line and the entire family in investigations. This is not limited to criminal investigations, but extends surveillance to families and subsequent generations. Experts are warning that large-scale male DNA data could increase the risk of military and biological weapons. Y-chromosome data is static and could be used to develop targeted biological weapons.

There has already been controversy

This move to collect DNA connects China's technology and biotech industries. Now that genome sequencing has become cheaper and faster, it is easier for local governments to build large-scale DNA databases. This could boost investment in China's forensic genetics and bioinformatics companies. In 2006, Foxconn collected blood samples from employees, which sparked controversy. Xilinhot's plan is a warning to multinational companies that biological data collection in China could increase.