The devastating COVID-19 pandemic has claimed over a million lives, yet the exact origin of the disease remains a mystery. The Chinese Communist Party’s systematic destruction of evidence has cast a veil of uncertainty over the cause of the outbreak. However, what is known is that the People’s Liberation Army has prioritized achieving biological dominance, a goal that includes the creation of more toxic, contagious, and resistant pathogens.
The Wuhan lab, from which COVID-19 may have escaped, has a history of collaboration with China’s military on secret projects and publications. Furthermore, Peter Daszak’s EcoHealth Alliance has funneled federal taxpayer dollars to the Wuhan lab for coronavirus research, while the U.S. Defense Department has funded pathogen research organizations in China.
Despite these concerns, the Defense Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has revealed that the full extent of DoD funds provided to Chinese research laboratories for pathogen research is unknown, citing limitations in their tracking systems. Seven grants to Chinese organizations for “research related to potential enhancement of pathogens of pandemic potential” have been identified.
In response to the OIG’s findings, Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Mike Gallagher have proposed legislation requiring full transparency in DoD funding for Chinese research organizations. Ernst has also emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “There is zero reason for taxpayers to be funding risky Chinese research that could be used against Americans.”
The case for a flat-out ban on funding Chinese research organizations is strong. While the Pentagon should prioritize researching pathogens to protect against bioweapons created by enemies, funding research with adversaries like China raises significant concerns. China has a record of accidental lab leaks, including the deadly 2002 SARS outbreak, which was also linked to a Chinese lab.
As we continue to grapple with the pandemic, it is imperative that we learn from the past and prioritize transparency and accountability in our funding of research. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to finance activities that could potentially harm our national security or put lives at risk.
