Chinese pair of research: agrorism from mushroom smuggling?

Chinese pair of research: agrorism from mushroom smuggling?

The current situation of two Chinese scientists at the University of Michigan raises serious questions about the national security of the United States. The White House has announced that it would intensify the review of foreign students and researchers, especially from China. This is a direct reaction to the recent incidents around Yunqing Jian (33) and Zunyong Liu (34), which were charged with conspiracy, smuggling, incorrect information and visaby. According to Krone, these allegations are suspected that the two smuggled a potentially dangerous sample of the Fusarium Graminearum into the USA.

On July 27, 2024, Liu was stopped at Detroit Airport after red plant material was discovered in his backpack. He originally claimed not to know anything about the rehearsals, but later changed his statement and explained that he wanted to use the material for research purposes at the University of Michigan. This new development is also skill in the practices at the university, which in the past has already suffered from limited permits for dealing with dangerous biological materials.

in focus: fusarium graminearum

fusarium graminearum, which is classified as a “potential weapon for agrorism”, is known for causing damage to important crops such as wheat, barley, corn and rice. This not only affects agriculture, but also on the health of people and farm animals, since the fungus produces potentially poisonous substances that can lead to serious health problems such as vomiting, liver damage and reproductive disorders. According to [n-tv] (https://www.n-tv.de/politik/china-soll-milz-waffe-in-die- and-die-sicherheit-gefaehrdet--akle25811927.html) the fungus causes earlier losses in billion dollar height and is a great threat to the Food supply.

jians and Lius could have serious legal and safety consequences for the United States. US prosecutor Jerome Gorgon Jr. emphasized that Jian's membership in the China's Communist Party aroused special concern. News between Jian and Liu indicate that they have already worked with the mushroom in the campus laboratory without the necessary permits. This unauthorized research could be interpreted as the first step in the development of biological weapons.

The consequences for the university and visa policy

The University of Michigan is also put under pressure through these incidents. Several reports, including [Futurezone] (https://futurezone.at/Science/usa-cbp-university-michigan-china- fusarium-graminear-agrorism-waffe/403047371), confirm that the university does not have the corresponding permits to work with the fungus. In view of the allegations available, the US government plans to tighten the regulations for visas from foreign students, especially for those from China. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that the Visa for Chinese students "aggressively" take back.

Jian already appeared in court and was brought back to prison, while a deposit negotiation is scheduled for Thursday. Lius return to the United States remains unlikely due to the lack of an extraditional agreement with China. The increasing concern about possible security threats has re-lived up to the discussion about freedom of science at US universities and could lead to stricter requirements.