Deadly Fungus Smuggling: Chinese Scientists Arrested Amidst US Crackdown

The United States is on high alert after the recent arrest of two Chinese scientists accused of smuggling a deadly fungus, Fusarium graminearum, into the country. The FBI investigation suggests the fungus, classified as a food security threat by the National Center for Biotechnology and other international agencies, was brought in without permission. The incident occurred amidst the Trump administration's intensified scrutiny of Chinese students and academics. John Cohen, former Undersecretary for Intelligence, stated, "A fungus like this could be used to damage our agricultural industry, infect our food supply, affect our economy, and harm a large number of people." The suspect, Zunyong Liu, was apprehended at Detroit Airport with the fungus concealed in his luggage. The Department of Justice confirmed that Liu initially lied but later admitted to smuggling the fungus for research purposes at Michigan State University. FBI Director Christopher Wray described the case as a reminder that the Chinese Communist Party continues to deploy agents and researchers to infiltrate US institutions and target the food supply. This incident underscores the growing concerns about biosecurity and international tensions.