The competition between the world's superpowers is hitting Complete Genomics, whose employees, some in white lab coats stitched with U.S. flag arm patches, spin samples in test tubes and huddle around computers in San Jose. Its founder and chief scientific officer said he's frustrated that geopolitics is interfering with science.
"It's just a loss for the research and for the industry," Radoje Drmanac said.
The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed the BIOSECURE Act, which cites national security in preventing federal money from benefiting Complete Genomics and four other companies linked to China. They work with U.S. drugmakers to develop new medications or help doctors diagnose diseases.
It is part of a sweeping package of bills aimed at countering China's influence and power, especially in technology, that Congress largely backed last week. The biotech measure, which cleared the House with a 306-81 vote, now heads to the Senate.
Supporters say the legislation is necessary to protect Americans' health care data, reduce reliance on China in the medical supply chain and ensure the U.S. gains an edge in the biotech field, which both countries call crucial to their economy and security.
Opponents say the bill, which would ban China-linked companies from working with firms that receive U.S. government money, would delay clinical trials and hinder development of new drugs, raise costs for medications and hurt innovation.
Rep. Brad Wenstrup, an Ohio Republican and the bill's sponsor, said House approval was the first step in protecting Americans' genetic data and reversing the trend of relying on Beijing for gene testing and basic medical supplies.
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