11th January 2025 – (Washington) A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers has urged the Biden administration to consider limiting the export of U.S. biotechnology to the Chinese military, expressing fears that Beijing could weaponise this technology to develop hazardous pathogens.
In a letter dated Thursday and reviewed by Reuters, the lawmakers, led by Republican John Moolenaar, Chairman of the China Select Committee, requested Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to evaluate the possibility of imposing licensing restrictions on U.S. pharmaceutical companies collaborating with Chinese medical entities under military control.
The letter highlights that competition between the U.S. and China in biotechnology could significantly impact national security, economic stability, and the future of healthcare, as well as the security of American medical data. It was signed by Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, the committee’s ranking member, and Republican Neal Dunn.
While the Commerce Department has yet to comment, Secretary Raimondo’s term is set to conclude later this month, making it unlikely that new restrictions will be implemented before she departs. The Chinese Embassy in Washington has not responded to inquiries regarding the matter.
This letter reflects escalating concerns about China’s involvement in the biotechnology sector. In August, the same group of lawmakers, along with Democratic Representative Anna Eshoo, urged the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to increase oversight of U.S. clinical trials conducted in China, citing risks of intellectual property theft and potential forced participation of Uyghurs.
The lawmakers pointed out that U.S. pharmaceutical firms have partnered with military-operated hospitals in China to conduct numerous clinical trials over the past decade, including those in Xinjiang, a region home to the Uyghur minority.
In a response dated January 2, FDA Acting Associate Commissioner for Legislative Affairs Laura Paulos assured the lawmakers that protections are in place for trial participants. She reiterated that legislation mandates the informed consent of human subjects in clinical trials, particularly given the human rights issues in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. For concerns regarding intellectual property theft and technology transfer, Paulos directed the lawmakers to relevant U.S. federal agencies.
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