Dr. Yaojin Peng is a Professor at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Vice President of the Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, where he also serves as Director of the Center for Science and Technology Ethics. He is Vice Chair of the CAS Committee on Science and Technology Ethics and Chair of its Subcommittee on Life Sciences and Medical Ethics, and is a member of the CAS Youth Innovation Promotion Association. With interdisciplinary training in both life sciences and law, he holds a bachelor’s degree in life sciences and a Ph.D. in law from Maastricht University, the Netherlands. His research focuses on the law and ethics of emerging life sciences and biotechnologies, biosafety, intellectual property and standardization, and science, technology and innovation policy. In particular, his research focuses on how ethical, legal and social norms interact in scientific and technological innovation, and how governance frameworks can be developed for emerging technologies. His work integrates normative analysis, empirical research, model development and data-driven approaches to advance theoretical and institutional innovation in the governance of emerging life sciences and biotechnologies. He has published more than 40 papers in journals including Nature Biotechnology, Nature Genetics, and Cell Stem Cell.

Law and Ethics in Cutting-Edge Life Sciences, Biosafety, Intellectual Property and Standards, Technology and Innovation Policy

Teaching courses

Biomedical Law and Ethics (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Postgraduate Course)

Academic and Professional Affiliations

He concurrently serves as Director of the Ethics Committee for Life Sciences and Medicine of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Member of the Expert Committee of the China Regenerative Medicine Innovation Platform, Deputy Secretary-General of the Academic Committee of the Center for Science, Technology and Governance at Tsinghua University, Secretary-General of the Ethics Working Committee of the Chinese Society for Cell Biology, Member of the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee on Biotechnology (ISO/TC 276), and Member of the Public Policy Committee of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR).

Previously, he was a doctoral researcher at the European Private Law Institute, a research fellow at the Institute for Globalisation and International Regulation at Maastricht University, and an academic advisor for the 17th Annual Conference of the European Policy for Intellectual Property (EPIP) Association. He also conducted legal research at the School of Law, Singapore Management University (SMU).

He is a peer reviewer for leading journals including Nature and Cell Stem Cell, and a scientific evaluator for major research funding agencies such as the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and the European Science Foundation (ESF).

1. Ruohan Feng, Yaojin Peng^*, Emerging Trends in Responsible Research and Innovation: How China is Shaping Its Life and Health Data Governance Ecosystem （负责任研究与创新的新兴趋势：中国如何构建生命与健康数据治理生态体系）, Journal of Responsible Innovation, July 24, 2026.(IF 5.0, SCI&SSCI双索引)
2. Huiqi Lin, Lulu Ding, Xinyue Hu, Ruohan Feng*, Yaojin Peng*, Unlocking the potential of pedigree genomics via precision governance（家系基因组数据的精准治理框架新思路）, Nat Rev Genet , Mar 30, 2026.(IF 57.1, SCI)
3. Liang Yu^#, Ruohan Feng^#, Youhai Sun^*, Yaojin Peng^*, Governance of cross-border genomic data sharing through a human-rights approach（基因组数据跨境共享的人权治理路径）, Nature Genetics, Aug 6, 2025. (IF 37.4, SCI)
4. Yi Hao^#, Qianwen Chen^#, Jiayu Yin, Lulu Ding, Xue Pang, Yaojin Peng^*, Optimizing translational efficiency in stem cell clinical research（解析中国干细胞临床转化新图谱——基于IIT–IND双轨数据的系统分析）, Cell Stem Cell, 2025 Dec 4;32(12):1802-1806. (IF 21.8, SCI)
5. Qianwen Chen, Jianwei Lv, Xinwei Xie, Hanlin Zhu, Zhenyu Xiao, Yaojin Peng^*, Ethical and Regulatory Considerations in the Clinical Translation of Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived NK Cell Therapies（多能干细胞来源的NK细胞疗法临床转化中的伦理与监管考量）, Cell Proliferation, 2025 Sep 29:e70129. (IF 7.6,SCI）
6. Yaojin Peng^*, Lulu Ding, Zhenyu Xiao, Moshi Song, Jianwei Lv, Guang-Hui Liu^*, Ethical Concerns in Aging Research: Perspectives of Global Frontline Researchers（衰老研究中的伦理关切：全球科技人员的视角）, SCIENCE CHINA Life Sciences, Jun 19, 2024 (IF 9.1, SCI)
7. Yaojin Peng^*, Aijin Ma, Zhenyu Xiao, et al. Technical specifications for ethics review of human stem cell research（人干细胞研究伦理审查技术规范）, Cell Proliferation. 2023;e13556. (IF 8.8, SCI)
8. Luxia Chen, Jianchao Gao, Ruohan Feng, Yaojin Peng^*, The Variability of Judicial Decisions in the Stem Cell Industry in China（中国干细胞领域司法判决的异质性）, Cell Stem Cell, 2023, 30(10):1294-1298. (IF 25.3, SCI)
9. Yaojin Peng^*, Lulu Ding, Moshi Song, Zhenyu Xiao, Jianwei Lv, Guang-Hui Liu^*, Acting on ethics and governance of aging research（衰老研究的伦理问题与治理框架）, Trends in Molecular Medicine, 2023, 29(6). (IF 15.3, SCI)
10. Yaojin Peng^*, Jianwei Lv, Lulu Ding, Xia Gong, Qi Zhou^*, Responsible Governance of Human Germline Genome Editing in China（中国人类生殖系基因组编辑的负责任治理）, Biology of Reproduction, 2022 May 27;ioac114. . (IF 4.3, SCI)
11. Lulu Ding, Zhenyu Xiao, Xia Gong, Yaojin Peng^*, Knowledge Graphs of Ethical Concerns of Cerebral Organoids（知识图谱解析脑类器官伦理蕴涵）, Cell Proliferation, 2022: e13239. (IF 8.8, SCI)
12. Yaojin Peng^*, Jianwei Lv, Zhenyu Xiao, Lulu Ding, Qi Zhou^*, A framework for the responsible reform of the 14-day rule in human embryo research（人类胚胎研究“14天规则”负责任变革的框架构建）, Protein & Cell, 2022, 13(8):552–558. (IF 14.9, SCI)
13. Zhenyu Xiao, Jianwei Lv, Siqi Zhao, Rosario Isasi, Xinwei Xie, Lei Dong, Yaojin Peng^*, The Potential Effects of the United States Abortion Ruling on Global Embryo/Foetal and Stem Cell Research（美国堕胎裁决对全球胚胎/胎儿与干细胞研究的潜在影响）, Life Medicine. 2022 Nov 18.
14. Jiani Cao, Jie Hao, Lei Wang, Yuanqing Tan, Yuchang Tian, Shiyu Li, Aijin Ma, Boqiang Fu, Jianwu Dai, Peijun Zhai, Peng Xiang, Yong Zhang, Tao Cheng^*, Yaojin Peng^*, Qi Zhou^*, Tongbiao Zhao^*. Developing standards to support the clinical translation of stem cells（干细胞临床转化的标准制定框架与策略）, STEM CELLS Transl Med. 2021; 10(S2): S85- S95. (IF: 7.7, SCI)
15. Yaojin Peng^*, Xiaoru Huang, Qi Zhou^*, Ethical and Policy Considerations for Human Embryo and Stem Cell Research in China（中国人类胚胎与干细胞研究的伦理与政策考量）, Cell Stem Cell, 2020, 27(4). (IF 25.3, SCI)
16. Jianwei Lv^#, Yeyang Su^#, Lingqiao Song, Xia Gong, Yaojin Peng^*, Stem cell ‘therapy’ advertisements in China: infodemic, regulations and recommendations（干细胞“治疗”虚假宣传乱象解析：信息失序、监管挑战与政策建议）, Cell Proliferation, 2020, 53(12). (IF 8.8, SCI)
17. Yaojin Peng^*, Patenting Human Embryonic Stem Cell Related Inventions in China: A Comparative Perspective（中国人类胚胎干细胞相关发明的专利保护研究：基于比较法视角）, PhD thesis (Faculty of Law, Maastricht University, Netherlands, September 2018)
18. Yaojin Peng^*, The Patentability of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Technology in China（中国人类胚胎干细胞技术的可专利性解析）, Nature Biotechnology, 2016, 34(1). DOI:10.1038/nbt.3417. (IF 43.1, SCI)
19. Yaojin Peng^*, The Morality and Ethics Governing CRISPR-Cas9 Patents in China（中国基因编辑专利的道德与伦理规制）, Nature Biotechnology, 2016, 34(6). DOI:10.1038/nbt.3590. (IF 43.1, SCI)
20. Yaojin Peng^*, Patent Term Extension in the Pharmaceutical Sector: An Asian Comparative Perspective（药品专利期限延长制度探析：基于亚洲比较法视角）, in The Future of Asian Trade Deals and IP (Kung-Chung Liu ed., Hart Publishing, forthcoming in 2019).
21. Yaojin Peng, UW-Google Intermediary Liability Research Project: Privacy Protection in China（UW-Google网络中介责任研究项目：中国隐私保护）, available at https://www.law.uw.edu/media/1404/china-intermediary-liability-of-isps-privacy.pdf.
22. Nguyen Xuan-Thao, Trademark apologetic justice: China’s trademark jurisprudence on reputational harm. in Foreign scholars on Chinese law series: intellectual property law (translated into Chinese by Yaojin Peng^*), in Intellectual Property Law of China, Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, 2018).
23. Jingyi Li, Jinghui Lei, Qun Chu, Weiyi Zhang, Moshi Song, Yaojin Peng^*, Guang-Hui Liu^*, Addressing Population Aging: Innovative Approaches to Aging Research in China(应对人口老龄化：中国衰老研究的创新路径), Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences《中国科学院院刊》, 2026,41(2):406-420.（CSCD，中文核心）
24. Qianwen Chen, Xue Pang, Yi Ha, Yaojin Peng^*, An Exploration of Ethical Challenges and Governance Strategies for Digital Twin Technology in the Field of Biomedical Sciences(生命医学领域数字孪生技术的伦理挑战及治理策略探析), Life Sciences《生命科学》,2025,37(11):1453-1463.DOI:10.13376/j.cbls/2025143.（CSCD，中文核心）
25. Xue Pang, Lulu Ding, Yaojin Peng^*,Global Governance Pathways for Cell and Gene Therapy and China's Institutional Transformation（细胞与基因治疗的全球治理路径与中国制度跃迁）, Chinese Journal of Cell Biology《中国细胞生物学学报》, 2026,48(1):33-50.
26. Qianwen Chen, Siqi Zhao, Yaojin Peng, Organoids: technological innovation and ethical controversies（类器官：技术创新与伦理争议）, Synthetic Biology Journal《合成生物学》, 2024, 5. DOI: 10.12211/2096-8280.2024-009.
27. ShuaiShuai Niu , Lei1 Wang, TongBiao Zhao, Yaojin Peng^*, Jie Hao^*, Challenges and opportunities in the development of standardized stem cell resource centers（干细胞资源库的标准化建设：挑战和机遇）Sci Sin Vitae《中国科学：生命科学》, 2024, 54, doi: 10.1360/SSV-2024-0118. （CSCD，北大核心）
28. Jianchao Gao, Yaojin Peng, Wei Wei, Shuang Lu, Chenyan Gao, Panorama of human embryo-derived cells in biomedicine and progress in their research and regulation（人胚胎来源细胞在生物医药领域的应用历史及研究和监管进展）Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences《中国科学院院刊》, 2024,39(2):388-396. （CSCD，中文核心）
29. Lulu Ding, Siqi Zhao, Yaojin Peng^*, Tension between Technology and Ethics of Human-animal Chimera Research（人-动物嵌合体研究的技术-伦理张力）Studies in Science of Science 《科学学研究》, 2023.https://doi.org/10.16192/j.cnki.1003-2053.20230915.001. （CSSCI，北大核心）
30. Luxia Chen, Xinwei Xie, Zhenyu Xiao, Yaojin Peng^*, Challenges of mitochondrial replacement technology and its regulation（线粒体置换技术的挑战及其规制），Biomedical Transformation《生物医学转化》, 2022,3(04):96-105. （CSCD）
31. Jianwei Lv，Yaojin Peng^*，Reconstruction on the Withdrawal of Informed Consent System for Human Biological Samples（人体生物样本知情同意退出制度重塑），Science and Society《科学与社会》，2022,12(2):137-156.（CSSCI扩展板）
32. Yaojin Peng^*，Jianwei Lv，The challenges and solutions of the 14-day rule in human embryo research（人类胚胎研究“14天规则”的挑战与出路）, Journal of Dialectics of Nature《自然辩证法通讯》, 2022,44(10):77-86 (CSSCI，北大核心)（被评委《自然辩证法通讯》2022年度最受欢迎的10篇论文）
33. Yaojin Peng, Qi Zhou^*，China’s Strategies for Governance of Biotechnological Changes and New Ethical Challenges（应对生物技术变革与伦理新挑战的中国方略）, Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences《中国科学院院刊》, 2021,36(11):1288-1297. （CSCD，中文核心）
34. Yaojin Peng^*, The Era of Synthetic Biology: Biosafety, Biosecurity and Governance（合成生物学时代：生物安全、生物安保与治理），Journal of International Security Studies《国际安全研究》，2020, 38(5): 29-57.（CSSCI）
35. Yaojin Peng^*, Li Wei, Ethical issues and the governance of life science and technology: A case study on human-animal chimeras（生命科技伦理问题与治理策略——以人-动物嵌合体研究为例）, Science & Technology Review（科技导报），2020, 38(5): 42-49.（CSCD，中文核心）
36. Qi Zhou^*, Yaojin Peng, The Era of Biotechnology and Biosafety（这是生物技术的时代，也是生物安全的时代）, Journal of Engineering Studies（工程研究——跨学科视野中的工程），2020, 12(1).（CSCD，中文核心）
37. Yaojin Peng^*，Designer baby: How to face it（“设计婴儿”：我们将怎样面对）, Frontier Science（前沿科学）, 2019(3): 93-96.
38. Yaojin Peng^*, Intellectual Property Protection Concerning Stem Cell Research in China: Predicament and Solutions（中国干细胞知识产权保护的困境与对策）, Chinese Bulletin of Life Science（生命科学）, 2016, 28(8).（CSCD、北大核心）
39. Yaojin Peng^*, Employees’ Invention Compensation Regime in the Netherlands and Its Enlightenment to China（荷兰职务发明奖酬制度及其借鉴意义）, Journal of Fujian Jiangxia University（福建夏学院学报）, 2017, 7(4): 29-38.
40. Yong Wan, Jie Wang, Tianxiang He, Yaojin Peng, Zijiao Cheng, The Protection of Privacy in China（中国的隐私保护）, Journal of Shantou University （汕头大学学报）, 2017, 33(11) .

Participation standards

1. Yu M, Lei W, Cao J, Wang L, Ma A, Zhao ZA, Yang HT, Shen Z, Lan F, Cao F, Liang P, Pei X, Xiang AP, Yu J, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Li Q, Zhou J, Wei J, Peng Y, Zhu H, Liang L, Cao N, Fu B, Hao J, Zhao T, Hu S. Requirements for human cardiomyocytes（人类心肌细胞的规范要求）. Cell Prolif. 2022 Apr;55(4):e13150. doi: 10.1111/cpr.13150.
2. Chen X, Huang J, Wu J, Hao J, Fu B, Wang Y, Zhou B, Na T, Wei J, Zhang Y, Li Q, Hu S, Zhou J, Yu J, Wu Z, Zhu H, Cao J, Wang L, Peng Y, Liang L, Ma A, Zhang Y, Zhao T, Xiang AP. Human mesenchymal stem cells. Cell Prolif. 2022 Apr;55(4):e13141. doi: 10.1111/cpr.13141.
3. Peng Z, Wu J, Hu S, Ma A, Wang L, Cao N, Zhang Y, Li Q, Yu J, Meng S, Na T, Shi X, Li M, Liu H, Qian L, Tian E, Lin F, Cao J, Peng Y, Zhu H, Liang L, Hao J, Zhao T, Cheng X, Pan G. Requirments for primary human hepatocyte. Cell Prolif. 2022 Apr;55(4):e13147. doi: 10.1111/cpr.13147.
4. Wang L, Cao J, Peng Y, Fu B, Jin Z, Hu Y, Wu W, Xiang AP, Hu S, Yu J, Zhang Y, Wei J, Zhang Y, Li Q, Zhou J, Zhai P, Zhu H, Liang L, Ma A, Stacey G, Zhao T, Hao J. Human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Cell Prolif. 2022 Apr;55(4):e13153. doi: 10.1111/cpr.13153.
5. Nan X, Zhang B, Hao J, Yue W, Fu B, Qu M, Zhang Y, Wang H, Fang F, Wei J, Li Q, Hu S, Yu J, Gao Y, Liu Q, Cao J, Wang L, Peng Y, Zhu H, Liang L, Ma A, Zhou J, Zhao T, Pei X. Requirements for human haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Cell Prolif. 2022 Apr;55(4):e13152. doi: 10.1111/cpr.13152.
6. Zhang Y, Wei J, Cao J, Zhang K, Peng Y, Deng H, Kang J, Pan G, Zhang Y, Fu B, Hu S, Na J, Liu Y, Wang L, Liang L, Zhu H, Zhang Y, Jin ZB, Hao J, Ma A, Zhao T, Yu J. Requirements for human-induced pluripotent stem cells. Cell Prolif. 2022 Apr;55(4):e13182. doi: 10.1111/cpr.13182.