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 studies that may pose threats to public health, safety, or national security.

The proposed Life Sciences Research Security Board will function as an independent body responsible for evaluating gain-of-function research and other studies involving potential pandemic pathogens. The current lack of government oversight in life sciences research allows taxpayer dollars to be spent without appropriate checks. Dr. Paul's legislation introduces a stringent review process for assessing high-risk research proposals.

Key provisions of the Risky Research Review Act include:

- Establishing an Independent Oversight Board: A 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 consist 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 will be prohibited from awarding 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 are automatically referred to the board.

- Continuous Subcontract Disclosure: Continuous disclosure of subcontracts or subawards is required, with agencies submitting these disclosures to the board.

- Annual Reporting: The board must submit an annual report summarizing determinations, findings, and information about entities involved in high-risk life sciences research.

Statements supporting the Risky Research Review Act highlight its importance in ensuring national security and preventing future pandemics.

"This is a very important bill which when implemented will ensure national security is prioritized when making US life science funding decisions," said Dr. Redfield, M.D., Former Director (2018-2021), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The Risky Research Review Act is a great step forward toward protecting the American people from dangerous experiments," commented Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., PH.D., Professor of Health Policy at Stanford University.

Dr. Alina Chan from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard emphasized that "research with pandemic risks must be subject to external and independent oversight."

Richard H. Ebright from Rutgers University noted that "the gaps in current US oversight place the US at risk of research-related pandemics."

Steven Quay commended Senator Paul’s leadership in introducing this legislation comparing it to "the 1946 establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission by President Truman."

Bryce Nickels from Rutgers University stated that this legislation addresses major shortcomings in current guidelines for oversight of high-risk pathogen research.

Meryl Nass praised Senator Paul’s effort as a critical move towards improving biodefense safety.

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

For further details on S.4667, please refer [here](link).