AIBS joined a letter led by the American Society for Microbiology to House and Senate Appropriators expressing concerns about language banning gain-of-function research currently found in two fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations bills.
The letter focuses on the importance of gain-of-function techniques in science, current and developing safeguards, and the need to maintain U.S. leadership in science and readiness for public health.
“While we understand that there may be concerns with inappropriate applications of research deemed ‘gain-of-function,’ with adequate guidance, oversight, and safety standards in place, we can prevent those types of projects from going forward without hampering valuable research that would protect and enhance our nation’s health security and the United States’ ability to remain a leader on the global stage,” the letter reads. “Existing policies at the institutional, state, federal, and global levels help ensure that pathogen research is conducted ethically, safely, and securely by trained professionals at facilities that comply with strict physical containment provisions and policies.”
The groups encourage Congress to “allow and support implementation of these oversight policies instead of instituting a blanket ban on funding for gain-of-function research.”
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