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Chinese scientist who smuggled dangerous ‘vomitoxin’ fungus into US deported
- Jian, a Chinese researcher, was deported after pleading guilty to smuggling a crop-killing fungus into the United States.
- The fungus, Fusarium graminearum, is nicknamed vomitoxin for its effects on crops and can cause illness in livestock and people.
- Jian, 33, worked for the University of Michigan and admitted to smuggling the pathogen to continue research there.
- U.S. authorities indicated that the deportation followed her conviction and sentence of time served.
- FBI Director Dan Bongino announced Jian’s deportation on X, stating the government would not allow foreign adversaries to exploit university facilities.
- The case involved Jian and her boyfriend attempting to bring the fungus into the U.S. to study at the Michigan lab.
- Officials note the fungus can grow in the eastern U.S. and upper Midwest and causes significant agricultural losses each year.
- Jian’s case underscores regulatory scrutiny over foreign researchers handling dangerous biological materials.
- The article notes additional cases of Chinese nationals charged with attempting to bring biological materials into the U.S. for study.
- The U.S. authorities emphasized that proper permits are required for importing such pathogens.
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