By Mark Tapscott | Full article published at The Epoch Times

Federal investigators want to know if U.S. tax dollars have directly or indirectly supported research in China into enhancing pathogens capable of causing worldwide pandemics, such as the COVID-19 outbreak that killed more than 1 million Americans in 2020 and 2021.

The investigation seeks to “determine the extent to which the [Department of Defense] awarded federal funds directly or indirectly through grants, contracts, sub-grants, subcontracts, or any other type of agreement or collaboration, during the 10-year period from 2014 through 2023, to Chinese research labs or to fund research or experiments in China or other foreign countries designed to enhance pathogens of pandemic potential,” according to Department of Defense Inspector General Robert Storch.

In an April 24 statement, Ms. Ernst said the DOD should defend the United States, not support research with the potential to harm the nation

Open The Books founder and president Adam Andrzejewski was also quoted in the senator’s statement.

“Empty rhetoric can often seem like its own Beltway pathogen, but today Senator Ernst has made a serious contribution to the health and security of every American. Whatever one may think about the controversy over COVID-19’s origins, it has brought into focus risky viral research that has become common practice for scientists and often funded with taxpayer dollars,” he said.

“We cannot close the book on the pandemic and the government’s response without understanding the full scope of the research in foreign countries that could come back to haunt us, or in this case infect us. It’s time for a serious discussion of the potential risks and benefits of funding this research, not more obfuscating by the public health complex in this country.”

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