Bowling Green Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, emphasized the need for independent oversight of gain-of-function research funded by the federal government. The bipartisan hearing, titled “Risky Research: Oversight of U.S. Taxpayer Funded High-Risk Virus Research,” was the second in a series as part of the Committee’s joint investigation into threats posed by high-risk life science research and biodefense in the U.S. and abroad.

During the hearing, Dr. Paul raised concerns about evidence that the U.S. government was funding risky gain-of-function research overseas with minimal oversight. He pointed to research conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) that failed to undergo review by any safety committee, which assessments by the Department of Energy (DOE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conclude likely led to a lab leak and the origins of COVID-19.

Dr. Paul highlighted his new legislation, the Risky Research Review Act (S.4667), proposing to establish a Life Sciences Research Security Board responsible for evaluating gain-of-function research and other studies involving potential pandemic pathogens.

Dr. Robert Redfield, former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), echoed Dr. Paul’s concerns about inadequate government oversight and emphasized biosecurity as a significant national security threat.

Throughout the hearing, Dr. Paul also addressed challenges posed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) obstructing efforts to obtain crucial information regarding discussions on gain-of-function research.

Witnesses including Dr. Redfield and Dr. Kevin M. Esvelt from MIT Media Lab criticized NIH’s lack of transparency, highlighting damage to public trust in health institutions due to federal bureaucrats like Drs. Anthony Fauci and Francis Collins instructing employees to suppress dissenting opinions.

As part of his opening remarks, Dr. Paul stated: “Since 2020, American families, communities, and businesses have borne the devastating consequences of COVID-19... Over four years compelling evidence has emerged supporting a lab origin for COVID-19.”

He continued: “We learned that NIH funneled federal funds through EcoHealth Alliance to support gain-of-function research at WIV... What has been done since uncovering our own government funded dangerous virus research overseas? Nothing.”

Dr. Paul concluded by urging support for his Risky Research Review Act to restore trust in science and ensure public health decisions prioritize national security over financial motives.