Malaysia Launches Biotechnology Ethics Guidelines, Ensuring Responsible Innovation

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has introduced its first biotechnology ethics guidelines, marking a significant milestone for the country and setting a benchmark for the ASEAN region in establishing a roadmap for responsible innovation.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) led the establishment of this vital framework, which comprises 15 core ethical principles for biotechnology in Malaysia. These include respect for autonomy, human dignity and human rights, social responsibility, safeguarding bio-sovereignty, sustainability and the protection of future generations.

Minister Chang Lih Kang said the National Biotechnology Ethics Guidelines also emphasise the protection of genetic data, transparency in clinical research, humane use of animals and maintaining public trust in biotechnology.

"As of now, Malaysia is leading in terms of bioethics. I would like to thank the team that prepared these guidelines. I hope that our ASEAN friends can also learn from this.

"These guidelines are important because when we talk about technological advancement, we need to consider both the technology and humanity aspects. The humanity part is crucial; otherwise, it will become a mess. That's why ethics is important," he told reporters after launching the guidelines at the ASEAN Bioethics Seminar 2025 here today.

Earlier, in his speech, Chang said biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), gene editing and innovations such as cultured meat are transforming global living standards. These innovations promise solutions to humanity's greatest challenges, from curing hereditary diseases to strengthening food security and tackling climate change.

"But alongside these opportunities come profound questions of safety, equity and morality. In Malaysia, we recognise this balance. Our National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 reflects our commitment to embedding ethical frameworks that ensure innovation progresses responsibly and sustainably.

"These principles aren't barriers to progress; they're foundations of trust. And without trust, innovation cannot flourish," he said.

Chang added that the National Biotechnology Ethics Guidelines would be a 'living document', regularly reviewed and refined to stay relevant amid rapid technological changes.

He highlighted that these guidelines are designed for policymakers, researchers, industry players and educators, as they place people at the centre of biotechnology, ensuring that innovation advances in ways that are compassionate, ethical and inclusive.

"Malaysia does not walk this path alone. As Chair of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Biotechnology, we are committed to working with our ASEAN partners to develop a common vision for bioethics.

"The challenges before us, whether food security, health equity, or the responsible use of AI, cannot be solved in isolation. ASEAN's strength has always been in unity. Through collaboration, we can safeguard both innovation and integrity for the region.

"Bioethics is not the responsibility of one profession or one country. It is a shared responsibility across ASEAN, across generations," he said, adding that decisions made at the seminar will shape ASEAN's biotechnology landscape for decades.

Themed Navigating Bioethical Frontiers: Sustainability and Resilience in ASEAN, the two-day seminar brought together 250 participants.

These included representatives from all ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste, the ASEAN Secretariat, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, as well as scientists, ethicists, policymakers and industry leaders.

The seminar, organised by MOSTI in collaboration with the Sabah government, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, the Sabah Biodiversity Centre, Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia and the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, explored six thematic forums.

The issues covered ranged from health ethics to AI, traditional medicine to sustainable energy, and food biotechnology to clinical ethics.

-- BERNAMA