Widespread fungus at center of University of Michigan scholar smuggling case sparks debate

A University of Michigan scholar, Yunqing Jian, and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, face charges for allegedly attempting to smuggle Fusarium graminearum, a potentially dangerous agricultural pathogen, into the U.S. from China. They are accused of intending to deliver the pathogen, considered a potential agroterrorism weapon by federal agents, to Jian's lab for research, prompting national security concerns. However, experts like Professor Caitilyn Allen argue that the fungus is not classified as a terrorism agent and is already widespread in the U.S., primarily affecting wheat and barley. The University of Michigan has condemned the alleged actions and is cooperating with federal authorities, while Jian is set for a detention hearing and seeking private legal counsel.