House Committee Accuses NIH and NIAID of Misleading Congress on GOF Monkeypox Research After Subpoena Threats

Jun 12, 2024, 09:15 AM

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has released a report accusing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of misleading Congress and the public about research into potentially dangerous monkeypox viruses. The report alleges that officials from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), NIH, and NIAID lied to congressional staff and reporters about the nature and approval of the experiments. It highlights a culture of secrecy and obfuscation within these agencies. The investigation found that for nearly a year and a half, these officials misrepresented and deceived the Committee by denying that the risky gain-of-function (GOF) experiments were proposed and approved. The report calls for significant reforms, citing a disturbing lack of judgment and accountability from these agencies. It also notes that HHS admitted the research was considered and approved only after subpoena threats.