USDA Orders Indiana University to Secure Biology Labs Amid Investigation
Indiana University Bloomington has been ordered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to secure several biology labs, leading to the university police changing the locks on May 7th. The directive follows an ongoing investigation involving Roger Innes, a microbiologist at the university, and Youhuang Xiang, a post-doctoral researcher. Xiang, who conducted USDA-sponsored research on crop resistance, pled guilty last month to importing biological materials from China without authorization. The USDA's action comes after the FBI had previously searched Innes's lab in December, initially finding it in compliance. However, the USDA later reversed this finding, stating the lab was still under review. Innes has criticized the government's actions, suggesting they contribute to 'anti-Chinese hysteria.' 
