WASHINGTON — Sen. Rand Paul convened a congressional hearing on Wednesday to scrutinize gain-of-function research, which a trio of scientists testified needs more oversight to continue performing safely.
Gain of function is a risky method used to manipulate pathogens that make viruses more transmissible or dangerous so they can be examined and scrutinized. Paul has accused the National Institutes of Health of funding such research that could have led to the global coronavirus pandemic.
“I would like to have a bipartisan bill that comes forward for better oversight,” said Paul, the Republican ranking member of a Homeland Security subcommittee that focuses on emerging threats and spending oversight.
Paul suggested the creation of an independent body, akin to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to make recommendations on the type of research being performed.
“I don’t think the people doing the research are able to adequately and objectively regulate themselves,” he said. “I don’t think an absolute ban is what we want. We want better oversight of this.”
Paul believes COVID-19 was accidentally leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan, China – a theory initially dismissed but is now even being considered by the World Health Organization.
On Wednesday, Paul brought three scientists before his subcommittee to explain gain of function, its risks and rewards.
Richard Ebright, a microbiology laboratory director at Rutgers University, Steven Quay, the CEO of Atossa Therapeutics and Kevin Esvelt, a professor at the MIT Media Lab, all agreed that gain of function research needs to be better defined and have more oversight.
Besides Paul, only four other Republican senators attended the hearing to question the scientists. No Democratic senator appeared.
Ebright said a main reason gain-of-function research is performed is because it is fast, easy and attracts funding, but stopped short of saying it should be completely eliminated. Quay, on the other hand, said it would be appropriate for the U.S. to halt all gain-of-function research, at least temporarily.
“Gain of function research has the potential to unleash a global pandemic that threatens the lives of millions, yet this is the first time the issue’s been discussed in a congressional committee,” Paul said.
He acknowledged the hearing was the beginning of a long process to produce legislation. He said he welcomed other scientists, including virologists, to offer future testimony that could produce bipartisan legislation.
