Harvard researchers charged with smuggling frog brryos in the USA

Harvard researchers charged with smuggling frog brryos in the USA

A scientist and researcher born in Russia at Harvard University is faced with severe allegations after being accused on Wednesday of trying to smuggle frog chembryons into the United States. Kseniia Petrova, 30, was brought to a facility for immigration and customary enforcement authorities (ICE) in Louisiana after her arrest in February and is now waiting for the decision of a judge about her possible deportation to Russia, where she is afraid of prison or worse.

according to the allegations

In a turn of the case, Petrova was charged by the federal prosecutors for smuggling. If a conviction, you face a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $ 250,000. A Petrova lawyer was not available for comment, and it is unclear whether it is laid by the ICE facility.

vacation in France and the incident at the airport

Petrova was on vacation in France and visited a laboratory that specializes in the splicing of frog chembryons. There she received a package with rehearsals for research purposes. At the Boston Logan International Airport, she was asked by the customs authorities regarding these samples. In an interview with the AP news agency, Petrova explained that she didn't know that the rehearsals had to be declared and that she was not planning anything illegal.

reactions to the allegations

"The truth is on my side," said Petrova in a video call from ICE custody in Monroe, Louisiana. The Ministry of Internal Security indicated in a statement that Petrova was arrested after "giving false information about the materials carried". Authorities claim that messages on their cell phone showed that they were planning to bring the materials through customs without declaration.

The discovery of the embryos

Federal civil servants reported that Petrova was stopped by customs and border protection officers after a service dog had become aware of their luggage. During the search, the frog chembryons were discovered in a foam box. Initially, Petrova denied to have biological material in hand luggage, but later admitted this.

support from the science community

Leon Peshkin, Petriva's boss and mentor, said in an interview that rehearsals were in no way dangerous or organic. "I don't think she did something wrong," said Peshkin. "Even if she had it, she should have received a maximum of $ 500." In a statement, Harvard explained that the university "continues to watch the situation closely".

escape from political repression

Petrova said that she left her home country to escape political conflicts and possible repression. She had fled after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, which marked the beginning of a bloody three -year war. "When I go back, I am afraid that I will be detained against the war due to my political views and my attitude," said Petrova.

consequences for science

The case of Petrova is followed by the scientific community, as fears that it could have an impact on recruiting and binding foreign scientists at US universities. Peshkin pointed out that there was a wrong perception that foreign scientists are privileged to be in the United States. "I feel it more than the opposite," he added. "Foreign scientists have valuable skills and enrich the American science community."