H.R. 1864 — Risky Research Review Act

This section establishes the Life Sciences Research Security Board as an independent agency within the executive branch to review proposed federal funding for high-risk life sciences research, defined as dual use research of concern (DURC) involving a high-consequence pathogen or gain-of-function research on such a pathogen. (DURC is research that can be reasonably anticipated to yield knowledge, products, or technologies easily misapplied to threaten public health, agriculture, animals, materiel, or national security; high-consequence pathogens include wild-type or synthetic pathogens likely to spread uncontrollably and cause moderate-to-severe human disease or mortality—such as certain influenza A viruses, sarbecoviruses, Ebola orthoebolavirus, Yersinia pestis, and select agents or toxins—and any others designated by the Board.) It requires federal agencies to refer relevant intramural or extramural grant, contract, or other funding proposals to the Board; directs the Board to conduct reviews and make recommendations; authorizes Board personnel matters, GAO audits of Board activities, and funding; and defines related terms including "life sciences research" (i.e., study or use of living organisms, viruses, or their products across biological disciplines).