UK Government Mulls Designating Genomics as Critical National Infrastructure

Ministers have been urged to include the sector amid concerns that genomics information collected by China’s BGI could be used for military purposes.

Oliver Dowden, secretary of state, arrives at Downing Street in London on Feb. 27, 2023. Hollie Adams/Getty Images

The UK government is considering whether to designate the genomics sector as critical national infrastructure, the deputy prime minister said on Monday.

Oliver Dowden told Parliament he is “exploring the matter” when MPs pressed him on China issues following accusations that a well-connected parliamentary researcher may have been spying for the Chinese regime.