China panel subpoenas California bio-lab for investigation.
The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Subpoenas Chinese-Owned Bio-Lab in California
The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has taken a significant step in its investigation by issuing its first-ever subpoena for documents and records related to a Chinese-owned bio-lab discovered in California.
“It is deeply disturbing that a Chinese company set up a clandestine facility in small-town America that contained, per the CDC, ‘at least 20 potentially infectious agents’ like HIV and the deadliest known form of malaria. We are grateful to the city of Reedley for their cooperation,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), chair of the committee.
“The American people deserve answers, and we will get to the bottom of this issue to ensure our adversaries are not endangering the safety of Americans on our soil.”
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In response to the subpoena, officials from Reedley, where the bio-lab was located, have cooperated by providing thousands of pages of documents, hundreds of photos, and hours of video footage, according to a Politico report.
The joint investigation panel, led by Committee Chairman Mike Gallagher in collaboration with the House Energy & Commerce Committee, is currently reviewing these materials.
When news of the secret lab first broke in July, concerns about biosecurity were raised, particularly because the company behind it, Prestige Biotech (formerly Universal Meditech Inc.), was owned by Chinese and Chinese-Canadians.
At the site, thousands of vials containing bacterial and viral agents, including coronavirus, chlamydia, E. coli, streptococcus pneumonia, HIV, hepatitis, herpes, rubella, and malaria, were discovered. Additionally, nearly 1,000 lab mice were found in poor condition, and hundreds of rats were dead.
Reedley City, Fresno County, and multiple state and federal agencies have joined forces to investigate the lab. The company’s operations have been completely shut down, with all products, including COVID-19 virus test kits and pregnancy test kits, being recalled by the DEA.
The transformation of Universal Meditech Inc. from an agriculture-oriented company in Tulare to Prestige Biotech, a bio company producing test kits for humans in 2019, remains a mystery.
Public awareness of the lab’s existence came late, as code violations were discovered in December 2022. Local officials in Reedley were instructed by federal and state authorities to remain silent about the investigation, citing protocol.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) called for a thorough investigation of the secret Chinese-run lab during his visit to Clovis on Aug. 5.
In addition to the House Select Committee on the CCP, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic has also threatened to subpoena the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services if they refuse to provide information regarding the Reedley lab by Sept. 14.
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