BUZZ
Biology chair say the bacteria he smuggled in is not harmful
A Chinese researcher at Indiana University is heading back to his home country after pleading guilty on Tuesday to smuggling in DNA derived from E. coli.
Customs and Border Protection first arrested Youhuang Xiang last November after he told officials a package just had clothes in it. Instead, he had “plasmid DNA,” according to the Indiana University student newspaper.
“Plasmid DNA is a small, circular, nonliving DNA molecule found in most bacteria, including E. coli. It does not have the infectious properties of E. coli, nor is it used to produce the sickness-inducing bacteria, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute,” the Indiana Daily Student reported. “Instead, plasmid DNA is generally used by researchers to replicate genes en masse and study them.”
Still, Xiang pled guilty and will serve no jail time. He will also pay a few hundred dollars in fine. However, as a J-1 visa holder, the conviction means he will be deported back to China.
The biology chair at IU said that the DNA Xiang illegally smuggled into the country is safe.
“I would like to emphasize that the use of plasmid DNA — the type of DNA Dr. Xiang is accused of having smuggled into the country — is standard practice for molecular biologists,” department chair Professor Armin Moczek wrote in a letter of support. “So standard in fact that we teach it to freshman undergrads and high school interns.”
Xiang reportedly said he brought this type into the United States from China because he had more experience working with it.
Indiana Daily Student reported:
Xiang said during the trial he intended to use the plasmids to further his research into genetically modifying wheat crops to be more resilient against E. coli and other harmful bacteria. He said he ordered a specific kind of plasmid because he was more familiar with it from his research in China.
He is the latest Chinese researcher to face charges under the Trump administration.
Federal law enforcement has arrested multiple University of Michigan-linked researchers with similarly smuggling in potentially deadly fungi, as The College Fix has reported. At least one, Yunqing Jian, has been deported for her role.
MORE: UMich still spends $15.3 million on DEI after shuttering office
