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Written question asked by Henry Smith (Conservative) on Thursday, 14 December 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 December 2023. It was answered by Andrew Griffith (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 December 2023 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

BGI Group and MGI Tech

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, during the debate on Genomics and national security of 8 March 2023, Official Report column 120WH, what steps she is taking to investigate the national security risks associated with (i) BGI Group and (ii) MGI Tech.

Answer

Organisations which hold sensitive biological data are subject to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In addition, organisations such as Genomics England, UK Biobank and NIHR BioResource actively consider national security in decision making about partnerships with companies overseas.

As part of the new UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is undertaking a programme of work to assess how we can minimise the risks from biological data to protect our burgeoning bioeconomy, without stifling innovation, and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health outcomes in the UK and across the world. The Office for Life Sciences has begun this work, in consultation with relevant Departments and Agencies across Government, and key partners such as Genomics England and UK Biobank.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
7020
Session
2023-24
Related items
Genomics and National Security
Wednesday, 8 March 2023
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons
Subjects
National security BGI Group Genomics MGI Tech
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk