The Risky Research Review Act establishes a Life Sciences Research Security Board to oversee and regulate federally funded high-risk life sciences research, particularly concerning dual-use research and potential gain-of-function studies.
H. Griffith
Representative
VA-9
The "Risky Research Review Act" establishes the Life Sciences Research Security Board to oversee and regulate federally funded life sciences research, particularly high-risk research involving pathogens with pandemic potential or "gain of function" research. The Board, composed of experts appointed by the President, will independently determine whether agencies may award federal funding for proposed high-risk research. The Act outlines agency procedures, Board review processes, and authorizes \$30,000,000 to be appropriated to the Board annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2035.
New Board to Oversee 'Risky' Life Science Research, $30M Annual Budget
The "Risky Research Review Act" sets up a new watchdog, the Life Sciences Research Security Board, to give the green light – or red light – to federally funded research that could be dangerous. Think experiments involving souped-up viruses or other things that could pose a major threat if they got out. This isn't about your average biology lab; it's focused on "high-risk" stuff that could be misused to harm public health, agriculture, or even national security (Sec. 2).
Calling the Shots on Science Funding
This Board isn't just an advisory panel – it has real teeth. Agencies can't fund research the Board deems too risky (Sec. 2). That means if you're a scientist proposing research involving a "high-consequence pathogen" (think highly contagious and deadly) or "gain of function" research (making a pathogen more dangerous), you'll need the Board's approval before the money flows. The Board will be made up of nine presidentially appointed experts in science, national security, and biosafety, serving four-year terms (Sec. 2).
Real-World Radar
Imagine a university lab wanting to study how a specific virus, already considered a "high-consequence pathogen," might become even more transmissible. Under this law, they'd have to tell the funding agency upfront. The agency then flags it for the Board, which has 120 days to review and decide if the research can proceed and under what safety conditions (Sec. 2). If the lab's work unexpectedly veers into high-risk territory, they have to hit pause and notify the agency within 24 hours (Sec. 2). Failing to be upfront or report changes could lead to penalties.
Bureaucracy or Breakthrough?
While the goal is to prevent dangerous research from happening, there's a real question about whether this adds another layer of red tape that slows down vital science. The bill requires agencies to set up new procedures, and the Board itself needs time to get up and running (Sec. 2). It also raises questions about how "high-risk" is defined – could valuable research get caught in the crosshairs? The bill authorizes $30 million annually for the Board's operations from 2026 to 2035 (Sec. 2), and it fits into the larger framework of government oversight of potentially dangerous research, including existing regulations on "select agents and toxins." The Board will also be reviewing classified research, which could be a game-changer for transparency if handled right (Sec. 2).