Thread by @SophieHRW

1/I’ve been slow to comment on this recent, amazing Planet Money episode on #Xinjiang, DNA, and ethics in global genetic research. npr.org/2019/07/05/738… @hrw @ailsachang

2/Agree with @dtbyler about centrality of a #Uyghur voice, “Alim,” impressed w smart protection for him. Esp given his biodata gathered forcibly, detention in a “political education” camp, “release” but still flagged by surveillance technology even when supposedly “free.” @hrw

3/And “Alim’s” encounter w what was likely the IJOP. hrw.org/video-photos/i… @hrw @hrw_chinese

4/Mind-boggling: @MIT saying that it was after agreeing to collaborate with @iflytek that it came up with new “elevated risk” international projects—and that collaboration is ongoing. hrw.org/news/2017/10/2… @hrw @hrw_chinese

5/But a full week after listening to the @planetmoney for the first time, it’s still the @yale geneticist’s remarks that shock me. justsecurity.org/64605/scientis… @hrw @hrw_chinese

6/He’s been working with #China Public Security Bureau since 2010; began collaboration with a “top” PSB scientist who offers him access to DNA from ethnic groups “all over China,” telling @yale she has signed informed consent from all of the “contributors.” @hrw @hrw_chinese

7/Key @ailsachang q to @Yale geneticist: “You didn’t question that?” A: “On what basis would I question it?” How about decades of widely available reporting on gross #humanrights violations in #Xinjiang?! C'mon. @hrw @hrw_chinese

8/Ample evidence that peaceful criticism, resistance => grim fates in #Xinjiang, for #Uyghurs. See for starters from 2009: hrw.org/report/2009/10…. @hrw @hrw_chinese

9/@Yale geneticist suggests there was no way for him to independently verify whether consent had really been given. If so: then don’t do the research! As @hrw has shown recently, now even legal behavior in #Xinjiang is treated as “suspicious.” @hrw_chinese

10/Key @ailsachang q #2: “Knowing what you know now about how the Chinese government…treats Uyghurs, do you still believe that every genetic sample taken from a Uyghur that’s referenced in…your research…was definitely taken with informed consent?” @hrw @hrw_chinese

11/@yale: “It’s impossible to believe that unequivocally, but…I have no way of knowing one way or the other…” But even if you knew/know nothing about #Xinjiang: who in a police state can give consent *other than* the police?! @hrw @hrw_chinese

12/@yale says he’s stopped collaborating with #China PSB, is removing all #Uyghur data from his database, has asked PSB to stop using the samples he provided them. (See @hrw on this topic: hrw.org/news/2017/12/1…) @hrw_chinese

13/13 @ailsachang asks if PSB has replied to his request; @yale pathetic but entirely predictable answer: “I’ve gotten no reply.” Just like far too many #Uyghurs trying to reach their families… @hrw @hrw_chinese @planetmoney