HEC tells universities: no blood, DNA or health data goes abroad without National Bioethics Committee approval

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has told universities and degree-awarding institutions to get written approval from the National Bioethics Committee (NBC) before sending any human biological samples or health data abroad, ProPakistani reported on 14 October.

What the rule covers

• Samples: blood, tissue, DNA, RNA and human cells.
• Data: health-related information about Pakistani participants.
• Who: every university and degree-awarding institution under HEC.
• When: clearance must come before any transfer to a foreign institution, including in joint research.

HEC has not published a deadline, a letter number or the specific NBC regulations in the reports so far; the requirement applies from now.

Penalties

Institutions that do not follow NBC rules can face regulatory action, and HEC can revoke approval for ongoing and future research projects that lack NBC clearance.

Why HEC says it is needed

HEC said unauthorised transfers could pose national security risks, put Pakistan's genetic resources at risk, and expose citizens' personal and genetic information. Health data shared without rules is hard to recall once it leaves the country.

What it means for researchers and students

• Supervisors of projects with foreign labs (genomics, cancer, infectious disease) should check whether samples are already in the pipeline and apply to the NBC before the next shipment.
• MPhil and PhD students whose thesis depends on an overseas lab should build NBC approval time into their timeline.
• Patients who give samples for a study can ask the research team whether the material will leave Pakistan and whether NBC has approved it.

The NBC works under the Pakistan Health Research Council. Students planning research careers can work out their grades with our CGPA calculator.