Bowling Green Today

U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced the Risky Research Review Act on July 10, 2024. This proposal aims to establish a Life Sciences Research Security Board within the Executive Branch to oversee funding for gain-of-function research and other high-risk life sciences research that may pose threats to public health, safety, or national security.

The proposed Life Sciences Research Security Board will evaluate gain-of-function research and studies involving potential pandemic pathogens. The board will ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent with appropriate oversight. Dr. Paul's legislation mandates a stringent review process for assessing high-risk research proposals.

Key provisions of the Risky Research Review Act include:

- Establishing an independent oversight board: The Life Sciences Research Security Board will evaluate and issue binding determinations on high-risk life sciences research proposals seeking federal funding.

- Defining high-risk research: High-risk life sciences research includes studies with potential dual-use applications or those posing threats to public health, safety, or national security.

- Ensuring board independence: The board will be an independent agency within the Executive Branch, consisting of one executive director, five non-governmental scientists, and two national security experts appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

- Restricting funding without approval: Federal agencies cannot award funding for high-risk life sciences research without board approval.

- Mandating majority vote: A majority vote of board members is required to approve high-risk life sciences research.

- Empowering the board: The board can compel agencies to provide necessary information and records, including classified information.

- Demanding full disclosure: Grant applicants must declare if their research falls under high-risk categories or involves select agents or toxins.

- Automatic referral: Positive attestations must be automatically referred to the board.

- Continuous subcontract disclosure: Agencies must submit continuous disclosures of subcontracts or subawards to the board.

- Annual reporting: The board must submit an annual report summarizing determinations and findings related to high-risk life sciences research.

Dr. Robert Redfield stated, "This is a very important bill which when implemented will ensure national security is prioritized when making US life science funding decisions."

Jay Bhattacharya commented, "The Risky Research Review Act is a great step forward toward protecting Americans from dangerous experiments."

Dr. Alina Chan emphasized that "research with pandemic risks must be subject to external and independent oversight."

Richard H. Ebright noted that addressing gaps in oversight is essential for preventing disruptive pandemics.

Steven Quay compared this legislation's significance to the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission in 1946.

Bryce Nickels described it as "much-needed common-sense legislation" replacing decades of self-regulation with independent oversight.

Meryl Nass commended Senator Paul for his effort in improving biodefense safety.

The bill also received endorsement from Neil Harrison in his personal capacity at Columbia University.

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