Overview

• Thermo Fisher, a US biotech company, has halted the sale of its DNA identification kits in Tibet due to concerns over potential human rights abuses.
• The decision was made in mid-2023 following complaints from rights groups and investors, but was only revealed to investors recently.
• Human rights experts have raised concerns about surveillance in Tibet, likening the situation to that in Xinjiang, where authorities are accused of building a DNA database for Uyghur Muslims.
• In 2019, Thermo Fisher stopped selling its DNA kits in Xinjiang, citing its ethics code.
• Lawmakers and rights advocates have applauded Thermo Fisher's decision but are urging the company to halt the sale of all DNA collection kits to all of China.