Eko Hot Blog reports that the British government is considering designating its genomics sector as critical national infrastructure, amid concerns about China’s activity in the field.
Genomics is the study of the genome, which is the complete set of DNA contained within a single cell. China’s BGI Group has been developing prenatal tests in collaboration with the Chinese military and has used them to collect genetic data from women around the world for research on the traits of populations.
This has raised concerns among British lawmakers and campaigners, who have called for an inquiry into BGI’s links with British universities.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said on Monday that the government is “exploring” designating the genomics sector as critical national infrastructure. This would mean that the sector would be subject to greater scrutiny and regulation, in order to protect it from foreign interference.
A CNI designation would also give the government the power to intervene in mergers and acquisitions in the sector, if it believes that they pose a threat to national security.
Dowden said that the government is committed to “protecting our critical national infrastructure, including our genomics sector.” He added that the government is “keeping the register of critical national infrastructure under review, and it’s something which I am exploring.”
The decision of whether or not to designate the genomics sector as critical national infrastructure is likely to be a complex one. The government will need to weigh the potential risks of foreign interference against the economic and scientific benefits of the sector.
However, the decision is also likely to be influenced by the current geopolitical climate, with the UK and China increasingly at odds over a range of issues.
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