High-risk biological research and technology both in the United States and abroad is under new scrutiny from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee, after the announcement of a new investigation by its chair and ranking member.
“Biotechnologies, such as CRISPR, are rapidly advancing, and our understanding of biological risks and threats is constantly evolving,” U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), committee chair, said. “While many of these advancements have the potential to greatly benefit Americans, we must also ensure we are addressing and minimizing the serious risks they can also pose to our health and national security. This bipartisan oversight effort will allow us to take a comprehensive look at whether the federal government is taking the necessary steps to keep Americans safe from current and future biological threats.”
This investigation will cover a range of areas, from high-risk life science research, to biodefense, synthetic biology, biosafety, early outbreak warning capabilities and the potential origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), ranking member of the committee, Peters wants to undertake government-wide oversight of the area, to analyze and identify measures to counter longstanding and emerging risks that could lead to serious biological incidents, whether natural, accidental or deliberate attacks.
“It is well past time for the Senate to conduct a bipartisan inquiry into the origins of COVID-19, and, as part of this investigation, we finally will be holding Committee hearings to do just that,” Paul said. “In order to prevent a more catastrophic pandemic from occurring, we must understand the nature of US-funded biotechnology and hold accountable those who engage in risky gain-of-function research. This investigation is groundbreaking, marking the first government-wide examination of taxpayer-funded, high-risk life science research.
In its analyses, the investigation will also reportedly work to increase transparency and oversight of taxpayer-funded life sciences research, labs and the detection of biological threats. Rand, who sparred continuously during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, pitched this as the path to prevent repeating past mistakes.