In a landmark move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended new clinical trials that involve exporting Americans’ genetic material to China and other adversarial nations, citing national security and ethical concerns. The decision aligns with efforts from lawmakers like Marco Rubio and follows years of warnings about the potential misuse of U.S. DNA by foreign powers. This sweeping measure not only reflects a renewed commitment to biomedical integrity but also illustrates how federal agencies can act decisively in the public interest.

The FDA’s Role and Foundation in U.S. Governance

The FDA plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of drugs, biological products, and medical devices in the United States. It also oversees food safety, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. Founded in 1906 under the Food and Drugs Act, the agency became what it is today through a series of federal laws expanding its authority, particularly the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938. As part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the FDA serves as a gatekeeper of public health, grounded in regulatory science and civic duty.

 

Rubio’s Ongoing Battle to Protect American DNA

Senator Marco Rubio has long warned against the outsourcing of America’s genetic data, especially to China. In 2019, he co-authored a letter to HHS and CMS expressing alarm that U.S. taxpayer funds might be supporting partnerships with Chinese genomics companies like BGI and WuXi, both tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Rubio’s 2023 bill, the Stopping Genetic Monitoring by China Act, aimed to prohibit the transfer of American genetic technology and raised the alarm about the CCP’s surveillance tactics, especially in Xinjiang and Tibet. Although the bill failed, it paved the way for broader awareness and the FDA’s more recent actions.

 

The FDA Halts DNA Transfers: Why It Matters

In a powerful move on June 18, 2025, the FDA froze all new clinical trials involving the export of American living cells to adversarial nations. Citing “mounting evidence” of trials that never informed participants their DNA would be genetically altered abroad, the FDA invoked national security concerns and biomedical ethics. Some of these samples were being handled by labs partially owned by the CCP, exposing U.S. citizens to potential biological misuse. This decision sends a clear message: the U.S. will not compromise on the security of its citizens’ most personal information.

The agency emphasized that future trials must demonstrate full informed consent, domestic handling of biological samples, and ethical compliance. These standards mark a shift toward domestic bio-sovereignty. Moreover, the FDA’s move was not just a bureaucratic adjustment; it was a moral reckoning with past oversights. It aligns with Executive Orders 14117 and 14292, issued by former President Donald Trump, which call for restricting foreign access to sensitive U.S. biological data.

 

A System That Works When Each Branch Does Its Part

This move by the FDA underscores the foundational principle established by America’s founding fathers—that ours is a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” This phrase, first declared by President Abraham Lincoln in the Gettysburg Address, expresses the core purpose of the U.S. Constitution: to protect the lives, liberties, and well-being of American citizens and legal visitors from both internal and foreign threats.

It affirms that each branch of government—the executive, legislative, and judicial—exists to serve the people, not itself or foreign interests. The FDA’s bold stance is a reminder that public agencies, when given proper authority and oversight, can act decisively in the interest of citizens. Rubio’s legislative efforts, coupled with FDA enforcement, show that government can work when accountability and action come together.

 

Takeaway: Trust and Participation in a Functional Democracy

Rather than reacting with fear or distrust, Americans should view this as an affirmation of democratic safeguards. The FDA’s decisive action is a signal that the government can indeed protect us when informed citizens and principled leaders work together. Instead of throwing up hand in surrender,  in anger or distrust, let’s lay down fear and pick up awareness. Our tax dollars fund agencies like the FDA for this very purpose—to secure our lives, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Our kindness and civic engagement enable not just individuals, but also our institutions, to thrive. Let’s be vigilant, but also hopeful. As we stand on the shoulders of safeguards, we are free to live boldly.

 

Related Media Links: