Gregory Koblentz, a member of the Center’s Science Working Group, was quoted in a Roll Call article about the need for more Congressional scrutiny into experiments, known as “gain of function” research, that change pathogens to make them more infectious or dangerous.
“Congress only pays attention to stuff when things go wrong,” said Gregory Koblentz, a George Mason University biodefense expert.
Congress could provide more transparency into the process the government uses to determine whether researchers should be allowed to tinker with potentially devastating viruses.
“HHS and NIH can be more transparent about the process used to review research proposals that might involve gain-of-function research,” said Koblentz of George Mason University.
“There have been tens of thousands of scientific articles just in the last year and a half from all over the world. We have much less insight into where the research is being conducted at this point than we did previously,” he said, adding it would be “a useful exercise” for Congress “to get informed about this research, where it’s being conducted, and by whom.” Read more
