Fusarium graminearum

Chinese Researchers Accused of Smuggling Toxic Fungus: Terrorism or Scientific Mishap?

Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, a scientist and her boyfriend, were arrested for smuggling *Fusarium graminearum*, a fungus capable of causing significant crop damage and posing a threat to human and animal health. The fungus, classified as a potential agroterrorism weapon, inflicts billions of dollars in economic losses annually. Jian allegedly received funding from the Chinese government for related research, raising national security concerns. The arrests highlight the potential for bioterrorism through the smuggling of dangerous pathogens.

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Chinese Couple Smuggles Fungus Pathogen into US for Research

Yunqing Jian, a University of Michigan doctoral student, and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, are accused of smuggling the plant pathogen *Fusarium graminearum* into the United States. Liu, who also studied the pathogen, was apprehended at Detroit Metropolitan Airport with the contraband, falsely claiming its purpose. The complaint alleges a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. involving visa fraud and false statements, citing electronic communications between Jian and Liu as evidence. The University of Michigan has stated it cooperated with the investigation and received no funding related to the accused individuals’ research.

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