Protecting Americans’ DNA from foreign exploitation — indeed, from any exploitation — is a laudable goal. But Congress’ latest proposal restricting biotechs from working with certain firms and suppliers is an ineffective result of xenophobia and political fearmongering.
In 2013, a Chinese group acquired CG — with U.S. government approval. Today we are a subsidiary of MGI, publicly traded on the Shanghai stock exchange. To the proponents of BIOSECURE, this now forms the basis of a sinister sci-fi narrative in which CG has access to Americans’ genetic information and will use it for nefarious purposes.
Illumina already controls 80% of the U.S. genomics market. BIOSECURE will expand that dominance, resulting in less competition, higher prices and fewer choices. It will leave the U.S. health care and biotech industries with no access to our advanced sequencing platform. Ironically, while Congress targets CG, Illumina is drawing closer to China.