Chinese researchers charged with smuggling plant pathogen into the US
By 
Rebecca Trager2025-06-06T14:28:00
Fungus described by government as ‘agroterrorism weapon’ was allegedly brought into the US for study at a University of Michigan lab
Two Chinese nationals have been charged with smuggling a plant pathogen into the US for research at a University of Michigan laboratory, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on 3 June. The couple also has been charged with making false statements and visa fraud. They were arrested in connection with allegations related to secretly transporting the fungus Fusarium graminearum, which federal prosecutors claim is classified in the scientific literature as ‘a potential agroterrorism weapon’, although experts Chemistry World spoke to disagreed.