"Senator Ernst Presses for Transparency on US-China Collaboration in Bird Flu Research"

Sen. Joni Ernst is demanding answers from the USDA regarding the allocation of $1 million in taxpayer funds for "dangerous bird flu experiments" in collaboration with the Chinese government and a researcher linked to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The experiments involve a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus and are being conducted with the UK and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Ernst has raised concerns about the potential risks and ties to gain-of-function research, emphasizing the need for safeguards and transparency. This comes amid ongoing scrutiny of US funding for viral research abroad and heightened vigilance regarding biosafety and biosecurity practices in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.