The U.S. Commerce Department announced on Wednesday that it is introducing new export controls on biotechnology equipment and related technology due to national security concerns associated with artificial intelligence and data science.
Concerns have been raised by Washington about China potentially using U.S. technology to advance military capabilities and develop new weapons through AI. The department noted that the affected laboratory equipment could have applications for "human performance enhancement, brain-machine interfaces, biologically-inspired synthetic materials, and potentially biological weapons."
These new export controls, which require a U.S. license for shipments to China and other countries, pertain to high-parameter flow cytometers and specific mass spectrometry equipment. The Commerce Department stated that these items can "generate high-quality, high-content biological data, including data suitable for developing AI and biological design tools."
This move represents Washington's latest endeavor to limit the transfer of U.S. technology to China. Previously, measures were taken by the Commerce Department to curb exports from China to uphold the U.S.'s prominent role in AI globally.
In a bid to safeguard personal health and genetic data from foreign threats, U.S. lawmakers are contemplating various initiatives. They also seek to reduce American pharmaceutical and biotech companies' dependence on China, spanning from drug ingredient production to early-stage research.
Recently, U.S. legislators urged the Commerce Department to evaluate restricting the export of U.S. biotechnology to the Chinese military, out of fears that Beijing might militarize it.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington has expressed opposition to the development, possession, or use of biological weapons by any nation.
In August, U.S. lawmakers urged the Food and Drug Administration to increase oversight of American clinical trials conducted in China to mitigate the risks of intellectual property theft and potential forced participation of Uyghur minorities.