Senator Questions Smithsonian About Work With Chinese Entity

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., has asked the Smithsonian Institution to provide more information about its bird genetics research partnership with China-based Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), saying he’s concerned about BGI’s ties to its country’s military and what he calls its aggressive data collection activities.

In a Jan. 12 letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, Scott said he wants to know, among other things, whether BGI received any human genetic data or tax money from the Smithsonian, and whether the institution consults with national security agencies before partnering with foreign entities. The Commerce Department has placed several BGI affiliates on its Entity List (see 2007200026 and 2303020083).

“Congress appropriates more than a billion dollars annually to the Smithsonian Institution,” Scott wrote. “I urge you to steer toward partnerships that promote not only our economic growth and increased knowledge, but also protect our investment from misuse by foreign entities outside of the United States.”

The Smithsonian did not immediately respond to a request for comment.