**Compromised Trust: USDA's Alarming Collaboration with Chinese Research Institutes Raises Eyebrows**
Taxpayer-funded experiments amidst a global pandemic could have dangerous implications as new revelations about the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its ties to China surface.
During a recent congressional hearing, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack faced intense scrutiny from Republican Representative Ben Cline regarding ongoing collaborations with institutions linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
As Vilsack attempted to downplay concerns by stating that these were not true collaborations, a cache of public records tells a different story.
The documents, obtained by the White Coat Waste Project, expose a $1 million joint effort among U.S., U.K., and Chinese researchers on high-risk viral research involving avian influenza.
This project, named the "US-UK-China Collab," explicitly indicates that U.S. researchers would travel abroad to exchange results, a stark contradiction to Vilsack's assurances to Congress that "U.S. data is basically walled off" from these foreign entities.
Public records reveal that the USDA's research uses controversial gain-of-function methods — a process that could make pathogens more infectious — raising serious safety and ethical dilemmas.
Vilsack's dismissive response to Cline’s questions incited bipartisan outrage, with legislators pressing for an end to this experiment and reconsideration of how U.S. taxpayer money is used in collaborations with potential adversaries.
As recent reports confirm the alarming trend of American federal agencies potentially funding experiments that could further endanger public health, the need for oversight has never been more urgent.
Legislators in the House are already taking action, passing multiple bills aimed at restricting Chinese influence on American biotechnology. Recent moves, such as the Biosecure Act, show a determined effort to prevent federal funding from flowing to firms connected with the CCP, which many believe could exploit sensitive American data.
The situation takes on even greater urgency given that two years ago, the Government Accountability Office warned of inadequate tracking of how U.S. biological research funds directed to China are utilized.
Taxpayer dollars should not be funneled into risky international research that risks creating more potent viruses and the possibility of another pandemic.
The ongoing inquiries highlight a fundamental problem within the current administration, where accountability appears to be lacking, and transparency is in short supply.
During this period of heightened vigilance against foreign interference, lawmakers are right to demand answers and prioritize the safety and security of American citizens.
As concerns grow over the Biden administration’s handling of this urgent matter, it becomes evident that diligent oversight of federal agencies is essential to maintaining trust and safeguarding public health.
Sources:
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