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Written question asked by Gregory Stafford (Conservative) on Wednesday, 20 November 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 November 2024. It was answered by Andrew Gwynne (Labour) on Thursday, 28 November 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Genomics: China

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues, (b) Genomics England, (c) UK Biobank and (d) NIHR BioResource on (i) BGI Group, (ii) MGI Tech and (iii) other state-linked genomics companies blacklisted by the USA.

Answer

Through the delivery of the UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is committed to ensuring the United Kingdom is resilient to a spectrum of biological threats, as well as being a world leader in innovation. As part of this 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 and build confidence in sharing personal data, to improve health outcomes in the UK and across the world.

Department officials are working closely with UK Biobank, Genomics England, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Bioresource on this programme of work, and there will be continued engagement with my Cabinet colleagues.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
15377
Session
2024-26
Subjects
China Genomics BGI Group MGI Tech
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk