According to the indictment, Chinese researcher Jian Yunqing, currently at the University of Michigan, and her boyfriend Liu Zunyong, who is engaged in biological research at Zhejiang University, are accused of conspiring to illegally smuggle pathogens and providing false statements. Liu Zunyong was caught at the US border in July 2024 with wheat pathogens, specifically the Fusarium graminearum, hidden in his luggage, leading to his denial of entry after inconsistent testimonies. Professor Zilfoss from Michigan State University stated, 'Fusarium graminearum is a widespread pathogen that can infect wheat, corn, and other grains, and can produce toxins and mycotoxins.' Following the incident, Republican Congress members accused China of attempting biological warfare against the US, labeling it as agricultural terrorism. Reports mention that Fusarium graminearum already exists in the US, and many research institutions obtain strains for studying plant pests and diseases. Professor Zilfoss emphasized that sometimes strains need to be imported from abroad, which must go through the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to ensure proper procedures and destruction after the work is complete. The concern is whether the pathogens smuggled by Liu Zunyong and Jian Yunqing were altered in China to enhance their resistance, which could pose devastating risks if these pathogens were to enter US farms and threaten vital grain production.