Bowling Green Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced the Risky Research Review Act, a proposal to establish a Life Sciences Research Security Board within the Executive Branch. This independent board will oversee funding for gain-of-function research and other high-risk life sciences research that could pose threats to public health, safety, or national security.

The Life Sciences Research Security Board will be responsible for evaluating gain-of-function research and studies involving the collection, surveillance, genetic modification, or synthetic creation of potential pandemic pathogens. Currently, there is insufficient government oversight in life sciences research funding, leading to concerns about taxpayer dollars being spent without appropriate checks. Dr. Paul’s legislation aims to create a stringent review process for the board to assess high-risk research proposals and determine their eligibility for federal funding.

Dr. Robert Redfield, former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018-2021), expressed support: “This is a very important bill which when implemented will ensure national security is prioritized when making US life science funding decisions. If we had this bill in place ten years ago we could have prevented the Covid pandemic.”

Richard H. Ebright from Rutgers University also endorsed the proposal: “I have closely reviewed the legislative proposal, and I strongly support it. The gaps in current US oversight of research on potential pandemic pathogens place the US at risk of research-related pandemics... Addressing these gaps is essential and urgent.”

Bryce Nickels from Biosafety Now commented on its necessity: “Senator Paul’s legislation to establish the Risky Research Review Board is both necessary and urgent... It addresses major shortcomings in both current guidelines for oversight of high-risk pathogen research and new guidelines scheduled to take effect in 2025.”

Meryl Nass commended Senator Paul's effort: “Senator Rand Paul has introduced an important new bill for the oversight of potentially dangerous gain-of-function research... I highly commend the Senator for this critical effort to improve the safety of the US’ biodefense enterprise.”