Sen. Roger Marshall Introduces Bill to Ban Dangerous Viral Gain-of-Function Research
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced a bill on Wednesday that aims to prohibit federal grants from funding any “dangerous” gain-of-function research on viruses. The legislation, known as the Dangerous Viral Gain-of-Function Research Moratorium Act, seeks to prevent taxpayer money from being used for experiments that involve the genetic alteration of viruses, bacteria, or other toxins to enhance their transmissibility or infectiousness.
President Trump is reportedly considering an executive order to ban risky viral research, which has been a topic of heated debate in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill comes in light of findings by the CIA, FBI, Energy Department, former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, and other government scientists suggesting that an accidental lab leak is the most likely explanation for the origin of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Concerns have been raised about the use of government grants, including those from the since-debarred nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance, for gain-of-function experiments at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. These experiments resulted in the creation of highly infectious and lethal viruses, raising biosecurity concerns.
Sen. Marshall emphasized the need to halt funding for such high-risk research, stating, “History has proven that viruses can escape even the most secure labs, and gain-of-function research can kill more people than a nuclear weapon.”
The bill also aims to address the lack of transparency in tracking taxpayer money going towards gain-of-function research abroad, particularly in China.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former White House COVID czar, has defended US-funded research, stating that it did not constitute gain-of-function experimentation. However, other scientists have raised concerns about the potential lab origin of COVID-19.
Dr. Steven Quay and Dr. Richard Ebright testified to Congress about the risks associated with gain-of-function research and the need to prevent future pandemics stemming from laboratory-acquired infections.
The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, aims to prevent further experimentation with pathogens such as Ebola, Marburg, and Nipah viruses.
In conclusion, Marshall’s bill seeks to address the biosecurity risks associated with gain-of-function research and prevent future public health crises.
