US House bill would curb genetic info sharing with China’s Wuxi Apptec, BGI By Reuters

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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: The emblem of Chinese language gene agency BGI Group is seen at its constructing in Beijing, China March 25, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Picture

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By Karen Freifeld

(Reuters) – A congressional committee targeted on China has launched a invoice that might prohibit federally funded medical suppliers from permitting China’s BGI Group, WuXi Apptec and different biotech corporations from getting genetic details about People.

The Home choose committee on China, led by Republican congressman Mike Gallagher, mentioned the laws unveiled on Thursday is aimed toward BGI Group and its subsidiaries MGI and Full Genomics, together with WuXi Apptec, in accordance with an announcement.

Shares of Wuxi Apptec fell 10% in buying and selling in China following information of the invoice in a single day. The corporate mentioned on Friday that company-related content material in a proposed U.S. laws on bio-security just isn’t acceptable or correct.

The corporate is “intently watching” the event of the invoice, it mentioned in a submitting to Shanghai bourse, including that its enterprise improvement won’t pose any safety danger for any nation.

BGI Group mentioned in an announcement that it helps defending private knowledge, however the laws “which can successfully drive BGI from the U.S. market won’t accomplish this purpose.” The corporate added that within the U.S. it doesn’t gather affected person samples or have entry to private or genetic knowledge.

Comparable laws was launched within the Senate. The invoice has a protracted path ahead earlier than doubtlessly turning into legislation.

“Closing this loophole is step one in defending the American bioeconomy and our nationwide safety, and making certain our genomic knowledge is saved secure and safe,” mentioned Democratic committee member Raja Krishnamoorthi.

The laws would set up a framework to forestall U.S. taxpayer {dollars} going to biotech entities of concern, he added.

It could prohibit the federal government’s Medicare and Medicaid well being packages from utilizing BGI, which might slash its market within the U.S., an individual briefed on the invoice mentioned.

Models of BGI Group seem on a U.S. Division of Commerce export management checklist over allegations that they pose a “vital danger” to contributing to Chinese language authorities surveillance.

Reuters additionally has reported that BGI was gathering genetic knowledge from hundreds of thousands of girls for sweeping analysis on the traits of populations, and collaborates with China’s navy.