SerpApi.Org
Rand Paul, R-Ky., told Newsmax Tuesday that the CIA and FBI are protecting data about U.S. scientists involved in "dangerous research."
"The FBI is very tight-fisted and closed about trying to give up information. So we've subpoenaed the FBI on this, but they haven't divulged and I think are unlikely to ever divulge what was going on," Paul told "The Record With Greta Van Susteren."
The physician and chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs said gain-of-function research involving U.S. scientists has led to untold serious issues for Americans.
"If you take two viruses, mix them together, and grow them in human cells and they grow more rapidly, it is gain-of-function. Without question ... dangerous research," he said.
"It went to China. It was a huge mistake, and we should never let it happen again."
Paul said a recent case points to the dangers.
"About three months ago, an NIH [National Institutes of Health] scientist was arrested coming back from Africa and was bringing viruses that he had not declared. We have emails that that scientist was listing some viruses as diagnostic instead of infectious and was reprimanded for it," he said.
"But, no, this is not a trifling problem. It could be deadly to the world."
Paul said the issue involves gain-of-function research related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
"Gain-of-function massages or advances the evolution of viruses to make them more contagious in human cells. It's a terrible idea," he said.
"You do what nature might do but probably won't do, and you do it in a matter of months and you create a monster."
Paul has launched an online repository of records from his investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and federally funded gain-of-function research.
The repository includes documents showing the FBI asked U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to stand down before questioning EcoHealth Alliance President Peter Daszak after his return from a World Health Organization mission investigating the origins of COVID-19.
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