EcoHealth Alliance President Testifies on COVID Origins, Wuhan Lab Taxpayer-Funded Research

Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, testified before Congress regarding the organization's involvement in gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has suspended funding for EcoHealth due to alleged grant violations and conduct, while EcoHealth contests the decision. The House COVID subcommittee has called for EcoHealth to be permanently barred from receiving taxpayer funds.

EcoHealth Alliance President Peter Daszak testified before Congress on Wednesday, facing questions about his organization's involvement in gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China. The research, which involved modifying viruses to make them more infectious, has been linked to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has suspended all funding for EcoHealth, accusing the organization of violating the terms of a multimillion-dollar National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant. EcoHealth has denied any wrongdoing and plans to contest the suspension.

During his testimony, Daszak defended EcoHealth's research, arguing that it was critical for understanding the potential risks of emerging infectious diseases. He also denied any knowledge of the alleged leak at the WIV, which the U.S. Energy Department and the FBI have determined to be the likely source of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The House COVID subcommittee investigating the origins of the virus has said that EcoHealth's actions were "wholly abhorrent" and "indefensible." Committee Chairman Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, accused the organization of lying to Congress and the NIH.

EcoHealth, however, maintains that it has been transparent and cooperative with the investigation. A spokesperson for the organization said that it disagrees strongly with the HHS decision and will provide evidence to refute the allegations.

The ongoing controversy over EcoHealth's research has raised questions about the oversight of taxpayer-funded research, particularly in the realm of gain-of-function experiments. Some scientists have argued that such research is essential for pandemic preparedness, while others have raised concerns about the risks.

The HHS suspension of funding for EcoHealth is a significant step, but the investigation into the origins of COVID-19 is ongoing. The House COVID subcommittee has vowed to hold EcoHealth accountable for any wrongdoing and to continue its investigation.

- The HHS decision to suspend EcoHealth's funding is based on a staff-level report by the House COVID subcommittee.

- The subcommittee's report alleges that EcoHealth violated grant terms, made false statements, and failed to provide required data.

- EcoHealth has received millions of dollars in NIH grants, some of which were redirected to the WIV and Wuhan University.

- The U.S. Energy Department and the FBI have determined that COVID-19 likely originated from a lab leak in China.

- The House COVID subcommittee is demanding that EcoHealth produce outstanding documents and answer questions related to Daszak's potential dishonesty under oath.