Utah Valley Times

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has taken a significant step in safeguarding American genetic data from foreign adversaries by advancing bipartisan legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT). The bill, known as the Prohibiting Foreign Access to American Genetic Information Act of 2024, aims to prevent sensitive genetic and health information from being exploited by entities linked to foreign governments, particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Senator Romney emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, "We cannot allow the CCP to get their hands on Americans’ private health information." The proposed law would prohibit biotechnology companies with ties to adversarial governments from receiving U.S. taxpayer funds through federal contracts, grants, and loans. The swift action targets specific companies such as the BGI Group and WuXi AppTec, known for their connections to the CCP.

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) highlighted the growing threats posed by foreign-controlled biotech companies, emphasizing the need to protect Americans' personal health and genetic information. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) echoed these concerns, underscoring the risks associated with CCP-directed companies collecting sensitive medical data for potentially malign purposes.

The House companion legislation, introduced by Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), aims to address the dangers posed by entities like the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), which has been accused of using genetic data for military research and potential bioweapon development. Chairman Gallagher urged bipartisan support for the bill to prevent foreign actors from exploiting Americans' genetic information.

The legislation seeks to establish a regulatory framework to prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from subsidizing biotech companies with ties to adversarial governments. By identifying and banning companies that pose national security risks, the bill aims to protect the American bioeconomy and ensure the security of genomic data.

In a rapidly expanding field like biotechnology, where advancements can have significant implications for national security, the need to safeguard sensitive genetic information is paramount. The bipartisan efforts led by Senators Romney, Peters, Hagerty, and their colleagues reflect a commitment to protecting American interests in the face of evolving threats posed by foreign adversaries.