Shenzhen-based BGI Group, a leading genomics company, has expressed opposition to the U.S. Government’s decision to include BGI Research, BGI Tech Solutions (Hongkong) Co. Ltd. and Forensic Genomics International on the Entity List.
In a statement released Sunday, BGI Group said the decision may have been impacted by misinformation. The company emphasized that it strictly abides by local, regional, and global moral and ethical standards, and adheres to all required laws and regulations.
“BGI Group does not condone and would never be involved in any human rights abuses. None of BGI Group is State-owned or State-controlled, and all of BGI Group’s services and research are provided for civilian and scientific purposes,” the statement said.
The U.S. Government added 28 Chinese companies to a trade blacklist including BGI Research and BGI Tech Solutions (Hongkong). It added BGI units amid allegations that they pose a “significant risk” to contributing to Chinese government surveillance.