FBI warns Ca. officials genetics testing company likely sharing Americans’ health data with China
The L.A. sheriff has called for the cancelation of government contracts with Chinese-American owned company Fulgent
The bureau warned Los Angeles County officials that it had obtained “very concerning information” about Fulgent Genetics – the California company founded by Chinese-American billionaire Ming Hsieh. It is unclear whether the company is voluntarily turning over health data to China, or whether it is doing so in an effort to comply with Chinese law.
In response to the FBI’s warning, L.A. sheriff Alex Villanueva called for the cancelation of contracts with Fulgent, which had previously been testing employees for COVID-19 and keeping track of vaccination records.
A company spokesperson said Fulgent operated independently in China and “does not share personal data of any kind with the Chinese government.”
The company, however, has likely collected genetic data from millions of Americans via contracts with hospitals and government agencies. In 2016, Fulgent received a contract from a hospital network that provides genetic tests for U.S. Army personnel and their family members.
Founded in 2011, Fulgent has expanded its business in China in recent years while also working its way deeper into the U.S. political landscape with ties to the American think tank the National Committee on U.S.-China relations, an organization considered soft on China.
Is there anything in this country that China doesn’t have its hands all over?