Britain may designate genomics sector as critical infrastructure

BGI AD

11/09/2023 17:57

By Alistair Smout
       LONDON, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Britain is exploring
designating its genomics sector as critical national
infrastructure, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said on
Monday, amid pressure from lawmakers concerned at China's
activity in the field.
    Genomics is the study of the genome - the complete set of
DNA contained within a single cell.
    A Reuters investigation in 2021 found that China's BGI Group
had developed prenatal tests in collaboration with the Chinese
military and used them to collect genetic data from women around
the world for research on the traits of populations. 
    BGI says it has never shared data for national security
purposes and has never been asked to.
    Earlier this year, UK lawmakers wrote to the country's data
regulator asking it to probe BGI, citing the Reuters
investigation, while campaigners have also written to the
government to ask for an inquiry into its links with British
universities.    
    Asked by one of those lawmakers if Britain would designate
the genomics sector as critical national infrastructure, Dowden
said it was a legitimate point which he was considering.
    "It's not currently designated as such, but in my role in
the cabinet office, I keep the register of critical national
infrastructure under review, and it's something which I am
exploring," he told lawmakers.
    Critical national infrastructure (CNI) is infrastructure
that, if compromised, could have a major detrimental impact on
essential services or a significant impact on national security.
    A CNI designation can see greater scrutiny of how contracts
and research are handled in a sector.
    Dowden defended the government's broader record on CNI,
citing steps such as the passage of the National Security and
Investment Act, which has seen the government intervene to block
takeovers in sensitive sectors by Chinese firms.

 (Reporting by Alistair Smout
Editing by Mark Potter)
 ((alistair.smout@thomsonreuters.com; +44 207 542 7064; Reuters
Messaging: alistair.smout.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))