Scientist convicted of stealing genetically engineered rice

A scientist in Kansas has been convicted for conspiring to steal samples of genetically engineered rice seeds from a US biopharmaceutical research facility, Ventria Bioscience.

The scientist, Weiqiang Zhang, 50, is a Chinese national who had given the stolen rice to visitors from China.

He worked for Ventria, which develops genetically engineered rice for use in the therapeutic and medical fields.

Zhang was convicted on three counts, including conspiracy to steal trade secrets and interstate transportation of stolen property.

According to the US Department of Justice, Zhang acquired hundreds of rice seeds and stored them at his residence in Manhattan, Kansas.

In 2013, when employees from a crop research institute in China visited Zhang at his home, he gave the rice seeds to his visitors, according to trial evidence.

As the visitors prepared to leave the US for China, US Customs and Border Protection officers found the seeds belonging to Ventria in their luggage.