Chen Zhu, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences anda prominent expert involved in China's genome research program, said international cooperation in the research would help bridge the gap between developing and developed nations.

　　He told over 1,100 experts attending an international conference on the human genome that China supports scientific cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit and is opposed to plundering of gene resources.

　　China is rich in gene research resources with its human genetic resources accounting for 10 percent of the world's total, and some genetic materials found only in China are important for scientists in researching disease-related genes, the expert told the four-day conference, which started Sunday.

　　He stressed China would not allow any foreign institution to purchase genetic materials from China, and overseas scientists andresearch institutions must obtain permission according to the country's related regulations and abide by scientific ethics, including informing the Chinese citizens involved when collecting genetic materials.

　　During Sunday's meeting, leading experts on human genome research from around the world voiced their opposition to human cloning.

　　Bartha Knoppers, chairperson of the International Ethics Committee of the Human Genome Organization, said her organization,the World Health Organization and other international groups were coordinating their efforts to prevent human cloning.