BGI Group

BGI Group
Native name
深圳华大基因科技有限公司
FormerlyBeijing Genomics Institute
Company typePrivate
IndustryOmics
Genome sequencing
Biotechnology
FoundedSeptember 9, 1999; 25 years ago (1999-09-09)
FounderWang Jian
Yu Jun
Yang Huanming
Liu Siqi
HeadquartersShenzhen, Guangdong, China
Number of locations
A global presence in more than 100 countries and regions[1][2]
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Wang Jian (Co-Founder and Chairman)
ProductsDNBseq Platform (next-generation sequencing platform), RT-PCR tests for the detection of the SARS CoV-2 virus and its mutations. Huo-Yan integrated laboratory solution. The NIFTY Test (a non-invasive prenatal test)
BrandsDNBseq, NIFTY, Huafeiran, Huachangkang, Huajianwei, Huachangan, Huafanan, SeqHPV, PMseq
RevenueIncrease $251 million (2016)[2]
Increase $51.7 million (2016)[2]
OwnerWang Jian
Number of employees
~ 10,000 (worldwide)
DivisionsBGI China (Mainland)
BGI Asia Pacific
BGI Americas
BGI Europe (Europe and Africa)
Subsidiaries
Websitegenomics.cn

BGI Group, formerly Beijing Genomics Institute, is a Chinese genomics company with headquarters in Yantian, Shenzhen. The company was originally formed in 1999 as a genetics research center to participate in the Human Genome Project.[3][4] It also sequences the genomes of other animals, plants and microorganisms.[5]

BGI has transformed from a small research institute, notable for decoding the DNA of pandas and rice plants, into a diversified company active in animal cloning, health testing, and contract research.[6][7][8] BGI's earlier research was continued by the Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.[9] BGI Research, the group's nonprofit division, works with the Institute of Genomics and operates the China National GeneBank under a contract with the Chinese government.[10][11] BGI Genomics, a subsidiary, was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2017. The company is supported by several China Government Guidance Funds and Chinese state-owned enterprises.[12]

Starting in 2021, details came to light about multiple controversies involving the BGI Group.[13] These controversies include alleged collaboration with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and use of genetic data from prenatal tests.[14] BGI denied that it shares prenatal genetics data with the PLA.[15]

  1. ^ Kon, James (18 March 2020). "MoH receives COVID-19 detection kits". Borneo Bulletin. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "BGI Genomics Raises $81M in IPO". Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. 17 July 2017. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  3. ^ Megan Molteni (18 May 2017). "A Chinese Genome Giant Sets Its Sights on the Ultimate Sequencer". Wired. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  4. ^ Aaron Saenz (11 November 2010). "BGI – China's Genomics Center Has A Hand in Everything". Singularity Hub. Singularity University. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  5. ^ Shu-Ching Jean Chen (2 September 2013). "Genomic Dreams Coming True in China". Forbes Asia. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  6. ^ "China's BGI says it can sequence a genome for just $100". MIT Technology Review. Archived from the original on 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  7. ^ He, Ximiao; Wang, Jun (2007). "Bgi-Ris V2". Plant Bioinformatics. Methods in Molecular Biology. Vol. 406. pp. 275–299. doi:10.1007/978-1-59745-535-0_13. ISBN 978-1-58829-653-5. ISSN 1064-3745. PMID 18287698. Archived from the original on 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-02-01.
  8. ^ "China cloning on an 'industrial scale'". BBC News. 2014-01-14. Archived from the original on 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  9. ^ Cyranoski, David (2010). "Chinese bioscience: The sequence factory". Nature. 464 (7285): 22–24. doi:10.1038/464022a. ISSN 0028-0836. PMC 7095434. PMID 20203579.
  10. ^ Campbell, Matthew; Lyu, Dong (13 November 2019). "China's Genetics Giant Wants to Tailor Medicine to Your DNA". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on 2022-04-17. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  11. ^ "COVID opens new doors for China's gene giant". mint. 2020-08-05. Archived from the original on 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-01-30.
  12. ^ Puglisi, Anna; Rask, Chryssa (May 2024). "China, Biotechnology, and BGI". Center for Security and Emerging Technology. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  13. ^ Puglisi, Anna; Rask, Chryssa (May 2024). "China, Biotechnology, and BGI". Center for Security and Emerging Technology. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  14. ^ Needham, Kirsty; Baldwin, Clare (7 July 2021). "China's gene giant harvests data from millions of women". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  15. ^ Deng, Iris (July 12, 2021). "BGI denies it shared genetic data of pregnant women with China's military and vows to continue overseas push". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2021.