Protect America’s Biomedical Research Enterprise Act of 2021

Protect America's Biomedical Research Enterprise Act of 2021

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to evaluate ways to better protect intellectual property, sensitive medical information, and similar information used in biomedical research and development from national security risks and related threats.

In particular, HHS must identify national security risks and potential misuse of proprietary information and develop strategies to prevent or mitigate such risks and misuse in federally funded biomedical research and development. HHS must also develop a framework to identify areas of federally funded biomedical research and development that are emerging areas of interest to state actors and regularly review its recommendations and policies related to the protection of biomedical research and development.

In carrying out these activities, HHS must collaborate with relevant federal agencies (such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation) and consult with research institutions, research advocacy organizations, and other experts.

Bill 117 hr 6305, also known as the Protect America’s Biomedical Research Enterprise Act of 2021, aims to address the growing threat of foreign influence on biomedical research in the United States. The bill seeks to protect the integrity of American research institutions and ensure that critical research is not compromised by foreign entities.

The key provisions of the bill include requiring researchers to disclose any foreign funding or affiliations, as well as mandating that research institutions develop and implement policies to safeguard against undue foreign influence. The bill also establishes a task force to monitor and investigate potential instances of foreign interference in biomedical research.

Additionally, the bill provides funding for research institutions to enhance their security measures and improve oversight of research activities. It also includes provisions to strengthen collaboration between federal agencies and research institutions to better detect and prevent foreign interference. Overall, the Protect America’s Biomedical Research Enterprise Act of 2021 aims to safeguard the integrity of American biomedical research and ensure that critical research is conducted in a transparent and secure manner.