US Bars Imports From Three Chinese Genomics Firms

The United States added BGI Group, BGI Genomics and MGI Tech to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, effectively barring their goods from U.S. imports unless companies can overcome the presumption that they involve forced labor. The Department of Homeland Security said the companies conducted or facilitated genetic testing in Xinjiang that could help enable the forced labor of Uyghurs and other persecuted minorities. The action is notable because the government’s stated basis centers on genetic testing and surveillance, rather than alleging the firms’ products contain materials made with forced labor. U.S. officials have also raised concerns about BGI’s ties to Beijing and access to genetic data; BGI has previously said its work is civilian and scientific and denied posing a national-security risk, while Beijing rejects accusations of abuses in Xinjiang.