Bill Overview
Title: SAFE Risky Research Act
Description: This bill prohibits federally funded research on pathogens of pandemic potential or other dangerous biological agents or toxins if the research is carried out by foreign institutions located in countries of concern.
Sponsors: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Target Audience
Population: Researchers working on federally funded projects involving pandemic pathogens or dangerous biological agents
Estimated Size: 50000
- The bill affects researchers working on federally funded projects focused on pathogens or dangerous biological agents.
- Researchers working in foreign institutions within countries of concern will be directly impacted as their funding and research capabilities will be hindered.
- The funding halt can obstruct ongoing and future research in institutions located in these specific countries regardless of domestic nationality.
- US-based researchers collaborating with institutions in countries of concern will need to reevaluate their research partnerships, potentially affecting their work continuity and resource access.
Reasoning
- The policy directly impacts researchers working in the U.S. who collaborate with foreign institutions in specified countries, possibly reducing their research reach and scope.
- Indirectly, the policy affects the institutions in the U.S. that depend on such collaborations for advancing medical and scientific knowledge regarding pandemic pathogens.
- Most researchers in the U.S. will experience low to medium impact based on their dependency on foreign collaborations.
- Long-term effects might stabilize as collaborations are re-routed to different, non-concerning countries or more domestic collaboration ensues.
Simulated Interviews
Virologist (Boston, MA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will severely impact my ability to collaborate internationally.
- Current projects will be delayed as we find new partnerships away from the affected countries.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Research Scientist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy doesn't affect me directly but might slow down the overall pace of scientific advancement.
- It might increase competition for domestic funding, which could indirectly affect my startup.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Public Health Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is well-intended but could isolate key international research partners.
- There's a need for diplomatic routes to ensure safety while maintaining essential collaborations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
University Professor (Austin, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy mainly affects active researchers in the field, less so academics focused on domestic studies.
- May influence future curriculum concerning international collaborations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Principal Investigator (New York, NY)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The implications of this policy could cause delays in numerous potential future collaborations.
- My work isn't impacted now but may face challenges in broadening global partnerships.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Doctoral Student (Palo Alto, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could disrupt the trajectory of my future career plans.
- Uncertainty about future international opportunities is concerning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired Epidemiologist (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about the policy's impact on global health initiatives.
- Trust and collaboration are essential in managing pandemic risks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Biotechnology Entrepreneur (Seattle, WA)
Age: 42 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could limit potential international partnerships, affecting our growth strategy.
- Might need to focus more on domestic collaborations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Government Scientist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't have significant international links, but policy changes can affect the overall health research agenda.
- Could see shifts in funding allocations domestically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Lab Technician (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is not impacting me directly yet, but I'm apprehensive about my future career choices.
- The policy will likely deter international experience early in my field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 10 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $80000000)
Year 2: $49000000 (Low: $29000000, High: $79000000)
Year 3: $48000000 (Low: $28000000, High: $78000000)
Year 5: $46000000 (Low: $26000000, High: $76000000)
Year 10: $44000000 (Low: $24000000, High: $74000000)
Year 100: $30000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $60000000)
Key Considerations
- Monitoring costs to ensure compliance will add administrative burden on federal agencies.
- Possible reduction in U.S. leadership within certain areas of biotech research due to decreased international collaboration.
- The regulatory framework surrounding the identification of 'countries of concern' could affect geopolitical relations and national security discussions.