Bowling Green Today

On July 11, 2024, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced the Risky Research Review Act. This legislative 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 act as an independent body tasked with evaluating gain-of-function research and studies involving potential pandemic pathogens. The current system lacks sufficient government oversight, allowing taxpayer dollars to be allocated without adequate checks. Dr. Paul's legislation seeks to create a stringent review process for assessing high-risk research proposals.

Dr. Robert Redfield, former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 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, Professor of Health Policy at Stanford University, remarked: "The Risky Research Review Act is a great step forward toward the goal of protecting the American people from scientists conducting dangerous experiments."

Dr. Alina Chan from the Broad Institute of M.I.T. and Harvard emphasized the need for external oversight: "Research with pandemic risks can result in millions of deaths and trillions in economic damage."

Richard H. Ebright from Rutgers University highlighted gaps in current oversight: "The gaps in current US oversight place the US at risk of research-related pandemics... Addressing these gaps is essential and urgent."

Steven Quay, CEO of Atossa Therapeutics Inc., compared this legislation to historic precedents: "Historians will compare this to the 1946 establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission by President Truman."

Bryce Nickels from Rutgers University pointed out deficiencies in existing guidelines: "This is much-needed common-sense legislation that will safeguard the public from lab-generated pandemics."

Meryl Nass commended Senator Paul’s effort: “I highly commend Senator Paul for this critical effort to improve safety.”

Additional endorsements came from various stakeholders:

Adam Andrzejewski of Open The Books noted: “Senator Paul’s legislation would insulate self-interested parties from grantmaking decisions.”

Anthony Bellotti of White Coat Waste Project applauded Paul's leadership against wasteful spending on dangerous experiments.

Wayne Pacelle from Animal Wellness Action recognized long-term consequences for both humans and animals due to gain-of-function research.

Richard Manning from Americans For Limited Government supported establishing an independent agency for scrutinizing high-risk research.

George Landrith of Frontiers of Freedom praised Paul's advocacy for responsible science.

Phil Kerpen from American Commitment urged Congress to pass this legislation immediately.

Bob Carlstrom from AMAC Action stressed its necessity given past abuses linked to NIH-funded gain-of-function research.

Jim Hanson from America Matters underscored its importance in preventing future unaccountable scientific bureaucracies.

The introduction of this bill marks a significant step towards increased accountability and oversight in federally funded life sciences research.