![US House bill would curb genetic info sharing with China's Wuxi Apptec, BGI](https://i-invdn-com.investing.com/trkd-images/LYNXMPEK0P0LN_L.jpg)
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: The emblem of Chinese gene agency BGI Group is seen at its constructing in Beijing, China March 25, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo
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By Karen Freifeld
(Reuters) – A congressional committee targeted on China has launched a invoice that will prohibit federally funded medical suppliers from permitting China’s BGI Group, WuXi Apptec and different biotech corporations from getting genetic details about Americans.
The House choose committee on China, led by Republican congressman Mike Gallagher, mentioned the laws unveiled on Thursday is geared toward BGI Group and its subsidiaries MGI and Complete Genomics, together with WuXi Apptec, in keeping with a press release.
Shares of Wuxi Apptec fell 10% in buying and selling in China following information of the invoice in a single day. The firm mentioned on Friday that company-related content material in a proposed U.S. laws on bio-security just isn’t applicable or correct.
The firm is “closely watching” the event of the invoice, it mentioned in a submitting to Shanghai bourse, including that its enterprise improvement is not going to pose any safety threat for any nation.
BGI Group mentioned in a press release that it helps defending private information, however the laws “which will effectively drive BGI from the U.S. market will not accomplish this goal.” The firm added that within the U.S. it doesn’t acquire affected person samples or have entry to private or genetic information.
Similar laws was launched within the Senate. The invoice has an extended path ahead earlier than doubtlessly changing into legislation.
“Closing this loophole is step one in defending the American bioeconomy and our nationwide safety, and making certain our genomic information is stored secure and safe,” mentioned Democratic committee member Raja Krishnamoorthi.
The laws would set up a framework to stop U.S. taxpayer {dollars} going to biotech entities of concern, he added.
It would prohibit the federal government’s Medicare and Medicaid well being applications from utilizing BGI, which might slash its market within the U.S., an individual briefed on the invoice mentioned.
Units of BGI Group seem on a U.S. Department of Commerce export management record over allegations that they pose a “significant risk” to contributing to Chinese authorities surveillance.
Reuters additionally has reported that BGI was amassing genetic information from hundreds of thousands of girls for sweeping analysis on the traits of populations, and collaborates with China’s army.