Editor-in-Chief Opening Remarks

Dear Readers,

The third issue of Lex Genetica for 2024 presents a series of articles that discuss legal support of genetic technologies in the fields of economics, agriculture, technology, and medicine.

The issue opens with an article by A.V. Kubyshkin in which the author analyzes key aspects of the bioeconomy, highlights its features, summarizes approaches to bioeconomic regulation and highlights prospects for its development in Russia. Bioeconomics is a new development paradigm that offers potential solutions to a number of global issues, including efficient use of resources, improving public health, and creating new jobs. Although Russia has excellent bioeconomic development potential, hurdles include the development of a legal framework, support for innovation, and the development of human resources. In the future, the bioeconomy may become one of the key contributors to sustainable development at both national and global levels.

Issues related to cryopreservation and the storage of human reproductive biomaterial pose a number of legal questions. The article by D.A. Belova deals with the uncertainty of the legal regime of such objects, their place in the system of civil rights, and legal norms pertaining to their protection.

The large volumes of data now available to medical researchers can be used to identify previously unknown patterns and connections. However, there is currently no standard procedure for informing patients about so-called secondary findings. This issue is addressed by E.K. Moskovkina, who emphasizes the importance of developing clear legal and ethical standards for informing patients about secondary findings.

A number of complex legal questions arise due to the growing use of genomic information in medical practice, as well as in the underlying scientific and commercial research. How can we protect information about our DNA from unauthorized access, use, or distribution? What legal mechanisms should be implemented to ensure the security of genetic data? A.E. Semenovykh's article addresses these and other questions.

F. Farinella and E.E. Gulyaeva discuss whether AI is becoming a new source of threats to the protection of human rights. In their investigation, the authors refer to sources in both international and domestic law.

Courses in international economic law occupy an important position in the educational process at Chinese Law universities. Beijing University of Agriculture also offers elective courses on intellectual property rights. In his article, F. Chong reports on reforms to the international economic law program taught there, which combines legal and agricultural science.

The issue concludes with an academic digest created by the Center for Legal Support of Bioeconomics and Genetic Technologies at the Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL).

On behalf of the Board of Editors, I wish you a fruitful reading experience and invite your future collaboration with our journal.

Best regards,

Editor-in-Chief O.S. Grin’