Rep. Morgan Griffith

We shut down all the swimming pools because they didn't think it was safe to have people swimming in a vat of chlorine. I mean, if you wanted to raise the chlorine level attached, that's fine. But it was not, oh my gosh, you can't be in a swimming pool. Come on, people. They didn't use any reason. Yeah, I mean, it's just a terrible-

We shut down all the swimming pools because they didn't think it was safe to have people swimming in a vat of chlorine. I mean, if you wanted to raise the chlorine level attached, that's fine. But it was not, oh my gosh, you can't be in a swimming pool. Come on, people. They didn't use any reason. Yeah, I mean, it's just a terrible-

Cuz he didn't wear a mask. I'm just teasing.

Cuz he didn't wear a mask. I'm just teasing.

100%.

100%.

A little bit. We've seen a little bit at the NIH with some of their scientists that they're now sounding the same kind of concerns that were raised by this. So I think there's a little bit. I don't think it's sufficient, which is why I think we need to get legislation passed that, as I said, we break up NIAID.

A little bit. We've seen a little bit at the NIH with some of their scientists that they're now sounding the same kind of concerns that were raised by this. So I think there's a little bit. I don't think it's sufficient, which is why I think we need to get legislation passed that, as I said, we break up NIAID.

We make transparency at NIH more available for people getting royalties on certain types of research and whether or not that's right. There may be an argument for it. To get the top scientists, you may need to pay a little bit of a royalty.

We make transparency at NIH more available for people getting royalties on certain types of research and whether or not that's right. There may be an argument for it. To get the top scientists, you may need to pay a little bit of a royalty.

At the same time, we need the information delivered to Congress so that we can make a decision on behalf of the American people, whether that makes sense or it's just somebody lining their pockets. And then last but not least, that risky research panel that I mentioned is absolutely essential, I believe, because

At the same time, we need the information delivered to Congress so that we can make a decision on behalf of the American people, whether that makes sense or it's just somebody lining their pockets. And then last but not least, that risky research panel that I mentioned is absolutely essential, I believe, because

someday, someplace, sometime, maybe not 2024, 2025, or 2026, but by 2029, people will have forgotten. And NIH may go back to not paying as close attention to risky research as I hope they are today. And we need an independent board out there that will make sure that we are studying all of this information and making sure that If we're doing something, there better be a good reason for it.

someday, someplace, sometime, maybe not 2024, 2025, or 2026, but by 2029, people will have forgotten. And NIH may go back to not paying as close attention to risky research as I hope they are today. And we need an independent board out there that will make sure that we are studying all of this information and making sure that If we're doing something, there better be a good reason for it.

As you said, it can't just be, well, we got to do something. No. We need to leave some of these viruses alone. They're very dangerous. Why would we want to spread them around the world to do research and possibly have an outbreak? And the one that I'm most worried about in the midterm is monkeypox. I mean, bird flu is something to keep an eye on. But there's a lot of things we can do on bird flu.

As you said, it can't just be, well, we got to do something. No. We need to leave some of these viruses alone. They're very dangerous. Why would we want to spread them around the world to do research and possibly have an outbreak? And the one that I'm most worried about in the midterm is monkeypox. I mean, bird flu is something to keep an eye on. But there's a lot of things we can do on bird flu.

But monkeypox is a problem, Ebola, it's a problem. Why would we wanna go and stir everything up and spread those viruses around the world with hundreds of researchers or even dozens of researchers working with the virus? Every time you have that virus out there, there's a greater likelihood

But monkeypox is a problem, Ebola, it's a problem. Why would we wanna go and stir everything up and spread those viruses around the world with hundreds of researchers or even dozens of researchers working with the virus? Every time you have that virus out there, there's a greater likelihood

that it's going to be some kind of an accident or somebody's going to forget they've got it in the back of the freezer. And I mention that because when I first got to Congress a number of years ago, they just finished a study of US labs and it was a government lab. They found a frozen substance in the back of one of the lab freezers. Nobody knew what it was. So they took it out and they tested it.

that it's going to be some kind of an accident or somebody's going to forget they've got it in the back of the freezer. And I mention that because when I first got to Congress a number of years ago, they just finished a study of US labs and it was a government lab. They found a frozen substance in the back of one of the lab freezers. Nobody knew what it was. So they took it out and they tested it.