What is the Chinese fungus, and how dangerous is it? U.S. says it stopped plan to bring pathogen to Michigan

Time of India

3 days ago

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A Chinese scientist and his girlfriend, who worked in a lab at the University of Michigan , were charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday for allegedly plotting to smuggle a toxic fungus into the United States, which has raised concerns about a national security threat , as per reports.According to AP, 33-year-old Yunqing Jian, and 34-year-old Zunyong Liu, were charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud after they were found to have a pathogen known as Fusarium graminearum , which a scientific journal described as a 'potential agroterrorism weapon .'US attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr said, "These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a 'potential agroterrorism weapon' into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme," quoted TOI.Gorgon Jr also added that, 'The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals, including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party, are of the gravest national security concerns,' quoted AP.ALSO READ: Palantir's AI platform sends revenue soaring 71% as commercial contracts break $1 billion run rate barrier The fungus, which the Chinese scientist, brought with him in his backpack to the US, can infect crops such as wheat, barley, maize, and rice, and it can also infect livestock and even humans, as per AP. The pathogen can also cause serious health risks, like vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive issues in both humans and animals, reported TOI.The US department of justice highlighted that, "This noxious fungus causes 'head blight,' a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, and is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year. Fusarium graminearum's toxins cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock," quoted TOI.According to the FBI, Liu tried to sneak it into the US in his backpack through Detroit airport in July 2024. He later admitted he intended to use it for research at the University of Michigan, as per AP.Agents found an article on Liu's phone titled 'Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions' and a signed statement on Jian's phone showing support for the Chinese Communist Party, as per AP.