US bans imports from Chinese genomics companies

The United States on Wednesday banned imports from BGI Genomics, MGI Tech and Shenzhen BGI Technology, adding them to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List. The Department of Homeland Security says the companies helped collect genetic material used to track persecuted minorities in Xinjiang. Beijing condemned the ban as having no factual basis, while BGI and MGI denied the allegations and said they oppose all forms of forced labor. The move comes as the Trump administration proposes new restrictions on investment in Chinese biotechnology companies.