The journal Human Genetics has retracted a paper for reasons related to informed consent of vulnerable populations in China, the website of The Intercept reported recently.
The paper reported on genetic variation among and within ethnic groups. The 38,000 subjects included Tibetans and Uyghurs in China, who, per the article, “almost certainly did not give proper consent.” There was concern that “at least some of the Chinese samples were collected by the police.” The collection and use of samples from which DNA can be extracted in China has raised concerns about surveillance and appropriate use of DNA information.
Please click on the link to read the full article. Some of the points raised may be applicable to obtaining informed consent (or reviewing proposed informed consent processes) for research involving vulnerable populations in the US as well.