Congressional Concerns Over BGI’s Alleged Ties to Chinese Military
April 1, 2024
US lawmakers have raised alarms about BGI, a major Chinese genomics firm, allegedly attempting to skirt regulatory oversight and potential political backlash by creating subsidiaries in the United States. Representatives Mike Gallagher and Raja Krishnamoorthi have specifically requested the inclusion of BGI’s subsidiaries, Innomics and STOmics, on a Pentagon list that identifies companies believed to be affiliated with the Chinese military. This action aligns with broader efforts to scrutinize Chinese involvement in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. BGI refutes these allegations, asserting that its subsidiaries operate independently of the Chinese military, focusing on research and development in genomics. The Pentagon’s list cautions against engaging with flagged entities rather than imposing an outright ban. This development is part of a larger discourse on national security and the strategic regulation of foreign investments in critical sectors.
To read more, click here.
[Source: Endpoints, April 1st, 2024]
