Risky Research Review Act
Risky Research Review Act
Plain Language Summary
# Risky Research Review Act Summary **What it would do:** This bill would create a new independent government agency called the Life Sciences Research Security Board to review and approve federal funding for high-risk biological research. "High-risk" research includes studies on dangerous pathogens (like Ebola) or organisms that could be modified to become more transmissible or deadly. The board would decide whether research can be funded and what safety controls must be in place. Research institutions seeking federal funding would need to declare whether their work is considered high-risk, and federal agencies would have to verify these declarations and submit high-risk proposals to the board for approval. **Who it affects:** This primarily impacts universities, medical research institutions, and other organizations that receive federal research funding from agencies like the National Institutes of Health.
It also affects government agencies that award research grants and employees who would work for the new oversight board. **Current status:** The bill is in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced by Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) in the current congressional session.
CRS Official Summary
Risky Research Review ActThis bill establishes the Life Sciences Research Security Board to oversee the award of federal funding for high-risk life sciences research. High-risk life sciences research means the study of an organism, virus, or related product that could be misapplied to pose a significant threat to the public or could enhance the transmissibility or virulence of certain high-risk pathogens (e.g., Ebola).Specifically, the bill establishes the board as an independent agency that must review proposed high-risk life sciences research, determine whether a federal agency may award funding for the research, and determine minimum required controls for funded research. Entities that are seeking federal funding must attest to whether their research is high-risk life sciences research. Agencies must certify the validity of these attestations and submit proposed high-risk life sciences research to the board. Agencies must also notify the board of intended awards for other life sciences research for potential review.In making its determinations, the board must consider specified factors, including whether the benefits of the research outweigh the risks. The bill prohibits agencies from awarding federal funding for high-risk life sciences research without approval of the board or for life sciences research currently under board review. The board may also review awards that were made before the bill’s enactment.Entities that fail to properly attest to the nature of their research may lose their eligibility for funding. Additionally, agency employees who fail to comply with the bill's requirements are subject to disciplinary action.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.