Chinese genetic research company BGI Group, which opened the Center for Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics in Belgrade December 2021 in Serbia, is reportedly moving forward with a USD 200 mln investment to create a “campus/research hub” in Serbia—although questions reappeared in the press about the company literally in the last days of the year.
The company is “grappling with US sanctions” and also “facing investigations” across Europe for Chinese military links, according to the US-backed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty news site.
Likewise, the company has come under fire for “alleged use of genetic data,” according to Radio Free Europe, which also cited a Reutersreport noting military cooperation during prenatal test research.
That said, the new center enjoys the backing of the Serbian government, led by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, and will reportedly work closely with the Serbian Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering.
Photo of Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic by Serbian Army, CC BY 3.0 RS <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/rs/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons.
