# Risky Research Review Act - Plain Language Summary

## What This Bill Does

This bill creates a new government agency called the **Life Sciences Research Security Board** to oversee and review scientific research that could potentially be misused to cause harm. The board would have the authority to examine federally-funded life sciences research—particularly studies involving dangerous pathogens (disease-causing organisms) and toxins—to determine if the work poses security risks before it proceeds. Essentially, it adds a safety checkpoint for certain types of biological research funded by the U.S. government.

## Who Is Affected

This bill primarily affects:
- **Research institutions and universities** that receive federal funding for life sciences research
- **Federal agencies** that fund scientific research (like the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, etc.)
- **Scientists and researchers** working on studies involving pathogens, toxins, or genetic modifications
- **The general public**, who would theoretically benefit from increased oversight of potentially dangerous research

## Key Provisions

The board would specifically focus on "dual use research of concern"—studies that could have legitimate scientific purposes but might also be misused. Examples include research that could:
- Make disease-causing organisms more transmissible or deadly
- Create resistance to medical treatments
- Produce new toxins
- Resurrect extinct dangerous pathogens

The bill requires federal agencies to refer relevant research to the board for review, and the board can identify additional categories of concerning research. The board would also be subject to audits by the Government Accountability Office to ensure accountability.

Risky Research Review Act

Paul, Rand

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.&nbsp;High-risk life sciences research means&nbsp;the study of an organism,&nbsp;virus, or related product that could be misapplied to pose a significant threat to the public or could enhance the transmissibility or&nbsp;virulence of certain high-risk&nbsp;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.&nbsp;In making&nbsp;its determinations, the board must consider specified&nbsp;factors,&nbsp;including whether the benefits of the research outweigh the&nbsp;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&nbsp;review awards that were made&nbsp;before the bill’s enactment.Entities that fail to properly&nbsp;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.