"A Chinese scientist charged in Michigan with smuggling biological materials pleaded guilty on Wednesday, but was given no additional time in jail beyond the five months she already spent in custody. Yunqing Jian, who was a temporary researcher at a University of Michigan lab, will be released and quickly deported. A judge called it a very strange case involving an incredibly accomplished researcher."
"A pathogen known as Fusarium graminearum can attack wheat, barley, maize and rice. Zunyong Liu was caught carrying small samples while arriving at a Detroit airport in 2024. In China, Jian and Liu specialized in studying F graminearum, which is widely found in US fields, depending on weather and growing conditions. But it is illegal to bring it into the US without a government permit, which carries strict conditions."
"Michael Martin, an assistant US attorney, said there was potential for devastating harm, though he didn't elaborate. I don't have evidence that she had evil intent, Martin told a judge, referring to Jian. But I don't have evidence that she was doing this for the betterment of mankind either. Roger Innes, an Indiana University expert who looked at the evidence for Jian's attorneys, said there was no risk to US farmers, or anyone else, or any intent to create a more virulent strain."
Yunqing Jian, a 33-year-old temporary researcher at the University of Michigan, pleaded guilty to charges related to smuggling biological materials and will be released and deported after five months in custody. Jian and a boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, specialized in studying Fusarium graminearum; Liu was caught carrying small samples at a Detroit airport in 2024. Fusarium graminearum can attack wheat, barley, maize and rice and is present in U.S. fields depending on weather and growing conditions. Importing the pathogen into the U.S. without a government permit is illegal; the university lacked such permits. Prosecutors warned of potential devastating harm, while an outside expert said there was no risk or intent to create a more virulent strain. The judge imposed no additional jail time beyond time served.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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