Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have introduced the "BIOSECURE Act." This legislation aims to prevent foreign biotech companies from accessing U.S. taxpayer dollars.
Krishnamoorthi has expressed strong views on this issue, stating, "It is unacceptable for U.S. taxpayer dollars to be used to subsidize biotech companies of our foreign adversaries." He further explained, "By allowing these companies to amass and analyze large amounts of foreign genomic data, we risk our most sensitive information being used by our foreign adversaries against us." According to a press release from the Select Committee on the CCP, Krishnamoorthi said, "Our legislation addresses this problem by establishing a regulatory framework to prevent the flow of taxpayer dollars to biotech entities of concern. Closing this loophole is the first step in protecting the American bioeconomy and our national security, and ensuring our genomic data is kept safe and secure."
The lawmakers have voiced concerns that the CCP could exploit American gene data for various undisclosed purposes, potentially including the development of a bioweapon. Other House Select Committee members co-leading the bill include Reps. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), and Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.). The bill would "restrict federally funded medical providers from using foreign adversary biotech companies of concern, including BGI Group and its subsidiaries, MGI and Complete Genomics, along with another PLA-affiliated firm, called WuXi Apptec", according to a press release from the Select Committee on the CCP.
Gallagher has also raised concerns about specific companies such as Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI). He stated that BGI collects genetic data of Americans for research with the Chinese military. Gallagher warned, "The CCP will undoubtedly use the genetic data collected by BGI to further its malign aggression, potentially even to develop a bioweapon used to target the American people. The good news is that Congress can do something about it. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers of Congress to support this bipartisan, bicameral legislation that finally takes action to protect Americans from actors like BGI."
Krishnamoorthi, who was born in New Delhi, India, is a member of the U.S. House representing Illinois' 8th Congressional District. He took office in 2017 and is currently running for re-election. Krishnamoorthi holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and public policy from Princeton University, as well as a law degree from Harvard University. He served as the president of Sivananthan Laboratories until 2017. In addition to his role on the Select Committee on the CCP, Krishnamoorthi is also a member of the Committee on Intelligence and the Central Intelligence Agency, according to Ballotpedia.
