Defense companies in the United States are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to stay competitive with China in military advancements, according to a former fighter pilot. As negotiations continue for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a provision has been proposed in the House bill that aims to prevent the US government and its contractors from purchasing equipment from “adversarial biotech companies” that exploit Americans’ genetic information for malicious purposes. The provision, introduced by Representative Mike Gallagher, seeks to block Shenzhen-based company Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) from contracting with the US government due to its close ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Gallagher expressed concerns about BGI’s collection of genetic data from around the world, including pregnant women, and its collaboration with the Chinese military. He warned that the Chinese Communist Party could potentially use this genetic data to develop bioweapons targeting the American people. Gallagher and Senator Bill Hagerty are collaborating to include this provision in the NDAA, aiming to prevent Chinese biotech companies aligned with the Chinese Communist Party from accessing Americans’ DNA.
Hagerty emphasized the alarming nature of China’s collection of genetic data from millions of people worldwide, storing and analyzing it in China, often in association with the Chinese military. He filed a motion to include BGI’s restriction in the final conference report for the NDAA, urging his Senate colleagues to support the effort to protect Americans’ sensitive health information.
These efforts come as the Intelligence Community has been warning about China’s collection of healthcare data and DNA since 2021, highlighting the serious risks it poses to American privacy, economic, and national security. China considers genomic data a strategic commodity and prioritizes its collection to advance its artificial intelligence and precision medicine industries. BGI, in particular, has drawn attention for its marketing of COVID-19 testing kits and laboratory services worldwide, raising concerns about the collection of health and genetic data from Americans.
The Pentagon has classified BGI as a “Chinese military company” operating in the United States, with regional headquarters in San Jose, California. The company is obligated by Chinese law to share its data with the Chinese Communist Party.
As defense companies explore AI to keep up with China’s military advancements, the concerns surrounding the collection and use of genetic data by Chinese biotech companies remain significant. The inclusion of the proposed provision in the NDAA aims to address these concerns and safeguard Americans’ sensitive health information.
Brooke Singman is a Digital politics reporter. You can reach her at [email protected] or @BrookeSingman on Twitter.
