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Genomics is the study of the genome - the complete set of DNA
contained within a single cell.
A Reuters investigation in 2021 found that China's BGI Group had
developed prenatal tests in collaboration with the Chinese
military and used them to collect genetic data from women around
the world for research on the traits of populations.
BGI says it has never shared data for national security purposes
and has never been asked to.
Earlier this year, UK lawmakers wrote to the country's data
regulator asking it to probe BGI, citing the Reuters
investigation, while campaigners have also written to the
government to ask for an inquiry into its links with British
universities.
Asked by one of those lawmakers if Britain would designate the
genomics sector as critical national infrastructure, Dowden said
it was a legitimate point which he was considering.
"It's not currently designated as such, but in my role in the
cabinet office, I keep the register of critical national
infrastructure under review, and it's something which I am
exploring," he told lawmakers.
Critical national infrastructure (CNI) is infrastructure that,
if compromised, could have a major detrimental impact on
essential services or a significant impact on national security.
A CNI designation can see greater scrutiny of how contracts and
research are handled in a sector.
Dowden defended the government's broader record on CNI, citing
steps such as the passage of the National Security and
Investment Act, which has seen the government intervene to block
takeovers in sensitive sectors by Chinese firms.
(Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Mark Potter)
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