US lawmakers are intensifying efforts to curb US business engagements with Chinese biotech firms amid mounting concerns over potential misuse of Americans’ sensitive health data by Beijing. The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held a hearing to address these apprehensions, while the US Senate Homeland Security Committee approved a bill aiming to prohibit federal funding for Chinese biotech companies deemed national security risks. The proposed legislation, titled “The Prohibiting Foreign Access to American Genetic Information Act of 2024,” seeks to restrict federal contracts, grants, and loans to at-risk biotech entities and their subsidiaries.
Amid escalating tensions between the US and China, the focus has shifted to safeguarding genetic data from potential exploitation by adversarial governments. Lawmakers underscored the urgency to counter Chinese biotech firms’ activities, which include collecting and analyzing vast amounts of genetic data, raising national security concerns. The legislative measures aim to address the growing threat posed by the Chinese government’s efforts to acquire human genetic information through biotech companies like the BGI Group and WuXi AppTec.
However, critics have expressed apprehensions regarding the potential impact of such legislation on the biotech supply chain and market stability. While the bills aim to prevent federal engagement with Chinese biotech firms and their affiliates, concerns remain about disruptions to existing contracts and potential market instability. Despite these concerns, lawmakers emphasize the need to prioritize national security and protect Americans’ genetic data from potential misuse by foreign adversaries.
The push to regulate Chinese biotech firms comes amidst broader efforts to address national security risks associated with Chinese technology and business activities. Lawmakers stress the importance of maintaining vigilance against potential threats posed by China’s strategic efforts to acquire sensitive data and technologies, particularly in sectors critical to national security and public health.
