Politico May 7, 2024
With Kelly Hooper
‘GAIN-OF-FUNCTION’ CRACKDOWN — The Biden administration is tightening oversight of high-risk “gain-of-function” research after controversy over the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic heightened scrutiny of the practice, POLITICO’s Carmen Paun reports.
The White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a new policy beginning a year from now that applies to federal agencies funding research that could lead to disease outbreaks or other serious health threats. It also includes research that could threaten agriculture, animal health or national security.
The details: Researchers who want to increase a pathogen’s transmissibility or virulence or create a new toxin must submit a risk-mitigation plan to the agency funding the work. The agency will assess risks and benefits when deciding...
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