U.S. Lawmakers Question Ethics of Drug Trials in Xinjiang

American pharmaceutical companies are under scrutiny for conducting clinical trials in China’s Xinjiang region, where U.S. lawmakers have declared a genocide against the Uyghur population, RFA reported yesterday.

In a recent letter to the FDA, Representatives John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi raised serious ethical concerns about the trials, highlighting the absence of independent oversight in the region.

The lawmakers emphasized that there is no way to ensure that Uyghurs are participating voluntarily, suggesting that some may be coerced into medical testing. They also expressed alarm over the potential compromise of U.S. intellectual property due to the involvement of China’s military.

In their letter, the representatives requested information on how the FDA approves trials in Xinjiang and the measures in place to ensure ethical standards are upheld. The FDA has acknowledged receipt of the letter but has not commented on the specific allegations. As awareness grows, the integrity of U.S. drug companies is increasingly questioned amid concerns over human rights violations in the region.