House Republicans Propose NIH Reforms to Enhance Transparency, Oversight, and Curb Gain of Function Research

Jun 17, 2024, 11:00 AM

Republican leaders in the House of Representatives are proposing significant reforms to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The proposal, spearheaded by Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Robert B. Aderholt, aims to restructure the NIH to enhance transparency and oversight. This includes curbing risky pathogen research, specifically 'gain of function' experiments, which would be frozen until new reforms are implemented. Congressional investigations have revealed that NIH scientists conducted dangerous experiments with little oversight and that NIH officials resisted transparency during various inquiries. The Energy & Commerce Committee, chaired by Cathy McMorris Rodgers, is actively discussing this framework for reform as of June 14.