Government Halts Funding for Scientist Tied to Wuhan
The Department of Health and Human Services has suspended and initiated formal proceedings to permanently ban federal funding for EcoHealth Alliance President Peter Daszak. Daszak is at the center of a controversy involving gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China.
This action comes a week after HHS issued a government-wide suspension on all taxpayer funds allocated to EcoHealth, following a debarment recommendation from Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, chair of the House Oversight Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic.
According to an action referral memorandum dated Tuesday, the HHS suspension and debarment official, whose name was redacted, stated: “HHS believes there is adequate evidence in the record for this debarment cause and that immediate action is necessary to protect the public interest.”
In a letter also dated Tuesday, the official informed Daszak that he is being held responsible for EcoHealth’s failure to adequately monitor activities at the Wuhan lab and report on the lab’s high-risk virus studies, believed to be the source of the coronavirus leak.
“The alleged conduct of [EcoHealth] is imputed to you, because during all or part of the time relevant, you participated in, knew of, or had reason to know of [EcoHealth’s] improper conduct, through your role as the President,” the letter stated. “The improper conduct of [EcoHealth] is imputed to you and provides separate and independent cause for your suspension and proposed debarment.”
The official mentioned that debarment is “generally for a period not to exceed three years; however, regardless of whether you contest this action or respond to this Notice, I may impose debarment for a longer period or shorter period as the circumstances warrant.”
The length of debarment will be determined based on the seriousness of the cause for debarment, the official wrote.
Congressional lawmakers from both parties have criticized Daszak and EcoHealth for their involvement in controversial gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab. Gain-of-function research involves lab experiments that make pathogens more transmissible or more virulent, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Daszak has denied that the organization funded or conducted gain-of-function research. However, the HHS official stated in the referral memorandum that Daszak and EcoHealth failed to report to the NIH that the Wuhan lab produced a virus stronger than permissible thresholds, violating the terms of the grant.
In a news release, Wenstrup stated, “Dr. Daszak’s impending debarment does not shield him from accountability to the American people. It appears that Dr. Daszak may have lied under oath about his relationship with the Wuhan Institute of Virology and his compliance with NIH grant procedures.”
“The Select Subcommittee intends to hold Dr. Daszak accountable for any dishonesty and reminds him that this debarment decision does not preclude him from producing all outstanding documents and answering all the questions of this Congressional body.”
Newsmax reached out to EcoHealth Alliance for comment.
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.