The U.S. House of Representatives has officially passed the Biosecure Act with a decisive vote of 306 to 81. This legislation aims to restrict U.S. federal agencies from engaging in business with certain biotech companies from the Chinese mainland, including WuXi AppTec and BGI Group, citing national security concerns.
In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning voiced strong opposition to the bill, describing it as ideologically biased and discriminatory against Chinese companies. \"The U.S. needs to abandon ideological bias, respect the principles of market economy and trade rules, stop advancing that bill, and stop suppressing Chinese companies under various pretexts,\" Mao stated during a press briefing in Beijing.
Proponents of the Biosecure Act argue that the measure is necessary to protect the genetic information of the U.S. population and secure local pharmaceutical supply chains. However, critics question the transparency of the process used to include foreign companies in the legislation.
In reaction to the bill's passage, WuXi AppTec denied allegations that it operates a human genomics business or collects human genomic data globally. The company’s shares dropped by over 10 percent in Hong Kong following the announcement.
Similarly, MGI Tech Co, a subsidiary of BGI Group focused on life sciences and biotechnology, labeled the legislation as \"baseless\" and warned that it could hinder global biosecurity by stifling innovation and slowing sector progress.
BGI Group also expressed disappointment, stating, \"We are disappointed that the U.S. legislative process is being used to pick winners and losers.\"
The Biosecure Act now awaits approval from the U.S. Senate before it can be sent to President Joe Biden for signing into law.
Reference(s):
Chinese companies, authorities oppose U.S. House passing Biosecure Act
cgtn.com
