Intel Committee Members Warn Americans To Stay Away From DNA Testing Services, Could Be Used For Bioweapons Targeting DNA of Individual Americans

In case you were wondering why China has made a large investment in 23andme.

Back in 2021, it was widely reported, Chinese firms are collecting genetic data from around the world, part of an effort by the Chinese government and companies to develop the world’s largest bio-database, American intelligence officials reported.

The counterintelligence center also highlighted investments by WuXi, which bought a Pfizer manufacturing plant in China, announced a production facility in Massachusetts and made an investment in 2015 in 23andMe, the consumer genetics company.

“….the intersection of technology and genetic and biological research as an area of competition and espionage. Edward You, who is the national counterintelligence officer for emerging and disruptive technologies, said the Chinese government was collecting medical, health and genetic data around the world.” (NY Times)

“They are developing the world’s largest bio database,” Mr. You said of the Chinese government efforts. “Once they have access to your genetic data, it’s not something you can change like a pin code.”

Citing a Reuters report, Mr. You said a Chinese company, BGI, had developed a neonatal genetic test with the Chinese military that had enabled it to collect information from millions of people around the world. The firm gained a foothold in the United States in 2013, when it purchased an American genomics firm

BGI now has contracts and partnerships with health institutions across the United States, intelligence officials said. The company provides cheap genomic sequencing and gets access to genomic data. Last year, the Commerce Department penalized some of the company’s subsidiaries for providing genetic analysis that was used in Beijing’s campaign against the Uyghurs.

Mr. You said as a result the genetic data of some Americans could be “transferred to the Chinese government.”

 Intelligence Committee members warn US of bioweapons targeting DNA of individual Americans

Congressman Jason Crow says young Americans are too willing to give up their DNA info

By Anders Hagstrom | Fox News July 23, 2022:

A member of the House Intelligence Committee warned Americans to stay away from DNA testing services as the information could be used to develop bioweapons targeting specific groups of Americans or even individuals.

Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., made the comments during an appearance at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado on Friday, saying many Americans are far too willing to give up their DNA information to private companies.

“You can’t have a discussion about this without talking about privacy and the protection of commercial data because expectations of privacy have degraded over the last 20 years,” Crow said “Young folks actually have very little expectation of privacy, that’s what the polling and the data show.”

“People will very rapidly spit into a cup and send it to 23andMe and get really interesting data about their background,” he added.

Crow, a former Army Ranger, then argued that once a person’s DNA is gathered by a private company, that company can then sell it. 23andMe has denied ever selling the private information it gathers from customers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, also attended the forum and added that U.S. adversaries could use the same technology to target livestock and crops to induce famine.

The warnings from Crow and Ernst came the same day that they raised alarms over the availability of cheap, military-capable drones, as well as China and Russia’s expanding use of AI.

The U.S. and its adversaries are researching ways to pair drone and AI technology to create “swarms” of up to 200 drones that can rapidly traverse the battlefield.

“It’s not just the one-offs that are being purchased on the internet, but now we have near-peer adversaries that are developing swarm technology where they can use 100 or 200 different drones — highly, highly evolved drones that can attack our service members on the battlefield,” Ernst said.