Congress Warned US Competition for Biotechnology Creates Promises and Perils

WASHINGTON — New scientific discoveries mean the future is bright for biotechnology but laced with many dangers in the competition with China, according to expert witnesses at a congressional hearing Wednesday.

China’s military dominance of its industries means its biotechnology could be used to find weaknesses in its adversaries’ genomes, possibly including weaponized viruses with a result that, “We’re going to live in a less free, less ethical world,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.

As biotechnology emerges as a preeminent factor in world economies, China has set a goal of becoming the world leader, Gallagher and biotechnology industry witnesses said. As a result, the United States’ dominance in the field is diminishing.

“The country that wins the race will be able to set the ethical standards for how this technology is used,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher is chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. He called the hearing to help determine how the United States should respond to challenges for control of biotechnology.

The competition has taken on greater urgency in the past few years with the emergence of artificial intelligence.

In biology, machine learning can be used to read and design gene sequences, similar to the way artificial intelligence programs on Google and ChatGPT can read and design written texts.

The beneficial applications could include new biologics for pharmaceuticals, food science and industrial materials. The more dangerous uses could include deadly viruses or humans designed to behave in specific ways.

Gallagher said that sometimes American corporations funded with taxpayer money inadvertently assist the Chinese military by collaborating with research institutions in China to develop biological products.

“We cannot afford to continue funding our own destruction,” he said. “It’s clear that industry still needs an education.”

The hearing Thursday comes as Congress is considering legislation to confront biotechnology risks from China and elsewhere.

Called the BioSecure Act, the bill would prohibit government agencies from contracting with or extending loans or grants to any company designated as a “biotechnology company of concern.” It is intended to alleviate concerns U.S. taxpayer money will fuel foreign adversaries’ hostile biotech pursuits, particularly from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

A “biotechnology company of concern” generally refers to entities headquartered or subject to the jurisdiction of a foreign government that poses a threat to national security.

The bill also specifically names certain companies related to the People’s Republic of China, such as BGI Genomics, MGI, Complete Genomics and WuXi AppTec.

BGI Genomics garnered the most attention during the congressional hearing.

BGI Genomics has been accused in news reports of collaborating with the People’s Liberation Army and the use of genetic data from prenatal tests. The company has reportedly sought ways to increase the strength of soldiers and to develop medicines to help them cope with altitude sickness.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., asked what could be done to prevent China from exerting influence over human genomes.

“If we lose, we face a bleak future of superhuman soldiers and designer babies,” he said.

Charles Clancy, chief technology officer for MITRE Corp., suggested that the Justice Department develop methods to screen persons who have access to potentially dangerous American biotechnology. MITRE is a not-for-profit corporation that operates federally funded research and development centers.

Clancy said the federal government should try to discourage American companies from collaborating with organizations associated with foreign adversaries.

“This outsourcing creates significant risks,” Clancy said.

Jason Kelly, chief executive officer of Boston, Massachusetts-based Ginkgo Bioworks, suggested development of better ways to trace viruses to their source as a means of disease prevention. His company uses genetic engineering to produce bacteria for industrial applications.

“It is public health but it also is national security,” Kelly said.

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