Senator Marshall Leads Resolution to Immediately Halt Gain-of-Function Research

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. introduced a resolution calling for an immediate vote on his legislation, the Gain-of-Function Research Moratorium Act. 

This bill calls for the immediate halt of dangerous gain-of-function (GOF) research and acknowledges that the Covid-19 virus is very likely the product of GOF research financed by the U.S. government and conducted in Wuhan, China.  

Senator Marshall has repeatedly called for complete transparency and accountability from the federal government regarding the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. Part of this responsibility requires that all present and future gain-of-function research be halted immediately due to safety concerns. Today’s resolution would be the first step in moving the Senate to immediately consider and pass the Gain-of-Function Moratorium Act.

“There are over 1 million reasons why we must stop the deadly gain-of-function research, and that’s the 1.1 million Americans who died of Covid-19.”Senator Marshall said. “History has taught us that viruses have escaped even the most secure labs conducting gain-of-function research. Until the oversight process is reformed and adequate guidelines are in place to protect us from dangerous outbreaks, we must put an immediate moratorium on this research.”

You may click HERE to read Senator Marshall’s full resolution. 

Background: 

Senator Marshall originally introduced this legislation in January 2023, the Viral Gain-of-Function Research Moratorium Act is in response to congressional inquiries and various investigations revealing national security concerns about NIH authorizing dangerous research that may have contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gain-of-function research aims to increase the ability of infectious agents to cause disease by enhancing their pathogenicity or transmissibility. 

In 2014, The Obama Administration ordered a pause on all gain-of-function research due to increased leaks and infectious material spills from laboratories receiving government dollars.

Rather than respect this pause, the NIH allowed gain-of-function research to continue through research grants disbursed to EcoHealth Alliance. 

To learn more about Senator Marshall’s oversight efforts of GoF research, click here.