Risky Research Review Act

The Risky Research Review Act would establish a new independent agency called the Life Sciences Research Security Board to oversee federal funding decisions for high-risk life sciences research. High-risk research is defined as studies involving organisms or viruses that could be misused to threaten public health or enhance the transmissibility or severity of dangerous pathogens like Ebola. Under this bill, research institutions seeking federal funding would need to declare whether their work qualifies as high-risk, and federal agencies would be required to verify these declarations and submit proposed high-risk research to the board for approval before awarding funds.

If enacted, the board would have authority to determine whether research should be funded and what safety controls must be in place. Federal agencies would be prohibited from funding high-risk life sciences research without board approval. Institutions that fail to properly declare their research could lose federal funding eligibility, and agency employees who don't comply with the requirements could face disciplinary action. The board could also review funding awards made before the law takes effect. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House.