China likely to use medical data to blackmail Americans, says report

Chinese investment in the US biotechnology industry presents a risk to national security, potentially giving China’s government access to patient data that could be used to blackmail Americans, according to a report for a Congressional advisory commission.

Biotech companies in China have access to technology and data through investments in US companies, partnerships with American universities and recruitment of US-trained researchers, the report for the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission said.

“Chinese biotechnology companies are acquiring technologies crucial to advancement in the field as well as amassing large collections of clinical and genetic data on US residents,” the report published February