Clermont Times

Today, the House of Representatives passed the BIOSECURE Act, H.R. 8333, introduced by Reps. Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-OH), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and John Moolenaar (R-MI). This legislation aims to ensure American patient data and taxpayer dollars do not fall into the hands of foreign biotech companies of concern by prohibiting Federal contracts with any entity using equipment or services from these companies.

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) national intelligence laws require all Chinese firms to share any requested data with the CCP, including biotechnology companies that collect, test, or store American genomic data. The BIOSECURE Act is intended as a step towards American independence from Chinese biotech and pharmaceutical companies that are CCP collaborators.

“For too long, U.S. policy has failed to recognize the twin economic and national security threats posed by China's domination of particular markets and supply chains. I am proud to support the passage of the BIOSECURE Act, the next step towards breaking our dependency on China and protecting the health data of the American people,” said Chairman of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. “American patients cannot be in a position where we rely on China for genomic testing or basic pharmaceutical ingredients, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on securing our domestic medical manufacturing capacity and ensuring our supply chains are free of interference and manipulation by countries that wish to do us harm."

“The House just sent a powerful, bipartisan message to the Chinese Communist Party: the United States will not sit idly by while the CCP steals our genetic data and seeks to control our biotech supply chains. I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to expeditiously pass the BIOSECURE Act and protect Americans from this growing threat,” said Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party John Moolenaar.

Background:

The Chinese Communist Party has made it a public goal to create a global DNA database, including the DNA of American citizens. For too long, U.S. policy has failed to recognize how China's dominance of supply chains creates a national security challenge. By ending Federal contracting with companies such as Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) and WuXi AppTec, and by prohibiting Federal contracting with any company that contracts with or uses equipment and services from these companies, the BIOSECURE Act aims to protect America's healthcare system.

Listed companies include Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), a People's Republic of China (PRC) “national champion” biotechnology company that collects, stores, and analyzes DNA from people in the United States and around the world. BGI has engaged in undisclosed collection of pregnant women’s DNA from prenatal tests, conducted research with CCP’s People’s Liberation Army, and was sanctioned for their participation in genetic tracking related to genocide against Uyghurs.

WuXi AppTec is another Chinese biotech company involved; it has sponsored events with PRC military personnel, repeatedly stolen U.S. intellectual property, and operated genetic collection sites with PRC involvement. The Chairman of WuXi AppTec is also a board member of WuXi Biologics and known senior member of CCP.

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