Bill
Bill > AR30
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This resolution urges the President and the Congress of the United States to cease funding gain-of-function research involving pathogenic substances and organisms, which is research that seeks to change the genetic makeup of an organism to give the organism a new property or to alter an existing property. Although the purported goal of gain-of-function research is to develop a better understanding of how pathogens respond to environmental pressures in order to develop vaccines against the pathogen or otherwise mitigate the potential for the pathogen to become transmissible to humans, gain-of-function research has the potential to produce viruses that are more communicable or pathogenic, or that are better able to evade both natural immunity and vaccinations in humans. Given the potential threats posed by gain-of-function research involving pathogens, it is the sentiment of the New Jersey Legislature that the federal government should no longer support gain-of-function research involving pathogenic substances and organisms, either financially or otherwise.
AI Summary
This resolution urges the President and Congress of the United States to stop funding gain-of-function research, which is a type of scientific research that involves modifying the genetic makeup of organisms like viruses to change their properties, such as their ability to transmit between people or cause disease. The resolution highlights concerns about the potential risks of such research, citing specific examples like experiments with the H5N1 avian influenza virus and allegations about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the resolution references testimony from Dr. Robert Redfield, former CDC director, who suggested the pandemic may have resulted from a laboratory leak in Wuhan, China, and suggests that gain-of-function research could potentially create viruses that are more communicable, more dangerous, or better able to evade existing immunity. The resolution calls on the federal government to cease all financial and other forms of support for gain-of-function research involving pathogenic substances and organisms, reflecting concerns about the potential for such research to inadvertently create dangerous viral strains or be misused as a potential biological weapon. If passed, the resolution would instruct the Clerk of the General Assembly to send copies of the resolution to the President, Vice President, and all members of Congress.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/AR30 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/AR/30_I1.HTM |
Loading...