US bans imports from Chinese genomics firms
The US on Wednesday banned imports from three Chinese genomics companies over claims they collected genetic material used to track persecuted ethnic minorities in China’s Xinjiang region.
The US Department of Homeland Security said that BGI Genomics (深圳華大基因), MGI Tech (深圳華大智造科技) and Shenzhen BGI Technology (深圳華大基因科技) had been added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List.
The list identifies entities working with Xinjiang’s government “to recruit, transport, transfer, harbor or receive forced labor or Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz or members of other persecuted groups out of Xinjiang.”
US Security of Homeland Secretary Markwayne Mullin speaks at a news conference in New York City on Sept. 1.
Photo: Reuters
The UN in 2022 warned of possible crimes against humanity in the region, with rights groups saying more than 1 million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities were being detained in camps.
China has denied the accusations.
The companies “helped collect genetic material used to track persecuted ethnic minorities, including people subjected to forced labor, meaning work they could not freely refuse,” the department said.
Beijing yesterday said that it “strongly condemns” Washington’s ban, which has “no factual basis.”
“The US side continues to exploit the ‘human rights’ issue, using it as a pretext to pursue unilateral protectionism and bullying,” a Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said in a statement.
China urged the US to “immediately cease its political manipulation and smear campaigns,” vowing to take measures to safeguard its interests.
US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that the US refused to “let companies tied to forced labor and the surveillance of persecuted minorities profit from the American market.”
BGI and MGI denied the allegations, saying they oppose all forms of forced labor.
US President Donald Trump’s administration last week proposed new rules to restrict investment in Chinese biotechnology companies.
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