Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has been a vocal supporter of the Hormel Institute, a biomedical research center in Austin, Minnesota, known for its collaboration with various entities in China. The institute has worked extensively with the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), a company labeled by the Pentagon as a 'Chinese military company.' This collaboration has raised concerns about potential data collection for the Chinese government.
Dr. Zigang Dong, the former executive director of the Hormel Institute, resigned in 2019 amidst an FBI probe regarding possible failure to report foreign backing when applying for grants. Dong also established the China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, a partnership with a research facility in China. Walz has been a longtime supporter of the institute, securing funding and technology grants for its expansion.
Despite Dong's resignation, his ties to the China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute have continued, with recent studies involving genetic sequencing provided by BGI. The institute's faculty includes professors educated in China, specializing in gene regulation.
Walz's close relationship with Dong is evident through significant campaign donations and advocacy for the institute's growth. Concerns have been raised about the potential national security implications of these collaborations, especially in light of China's aggressive tactics in acquiring foreign technologies.
Experts like Michael Sobolik have warned about the CCP's involvement in subverting U.S. foreign policy through research centers. The ties between the Hormel Institute and Chinese entities underscore the complexities of international collaborations in the field of medical research.
Walz's history of trips to China and past associations with the communist regime have also come under scrutiny, raising questions about his judgment on critical national security issues. The ongoing debate surrounding the institute's partnerships highlights the challenges of balancing scientific collaboration with potential security risks.
