Four years after the COVID-19 pandemic revealed vulnerabilities in global health systems, a new and alarming project is emerging at Colorado State University (CSU). This initiative, dubbed the “Bat Resource Center,” is backed by funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the same agency criticized for its involvement in risky laboratory research connected to the outbreak in Wuhan, China.
The center aims to breed exotic bats and study how these animals handle viruses such as Ebola, Nipah, and SARS-CoV-2 without falling ill. However, documents from the White Coat Waste Project (WCW) underscore that this facility is not merely a research center but a vivarium designed for large populations of bats, the very species linked to the origins of COVID-19.
Despite the troubling history associated with bat research, CSU has received an additional $2.3 million in funding less than three months ago to advance these projects. This funding and the intent behind this new facility raise serious questions about the wisdom of pursuing such experiments, especially given the lessons learned from the pandemic.
White Coat Waste Project has detailed the extent of the planned experiments. Bats will be subjected to infections with dangerous pathogens, leading to painful experiences and, in many cases, death after surviving the trials. The research involves not just handling but also manipulating deadly viruses, similar to actions taken in laboratories in Wuhan. This includes creating three new strains of coronaviruses, which were used to infect a significant number of bats, indicating a troubling pattern.
Local communities have legitimate concerns. CSU has a documented history of lab safety incidents that should alarm anyone living nearby. In one notorious case, a researcher handling a bat was bitten, leaving a visible mark on their finger—an event linked to both mishandling and a lack of rigorous safety protocols in the lab. Moreover, there have been multiple incidents of researchers failing to adhere to basic safety measures when working with infected animals.
The project is further complicated by CSU’s past affiliations with EcoHealth Alliance. This group, led by Peter Daszak, has been embroiled in controversies regarding gain-of-function research in Wuhan. Although CSU claims to have suspended its collaboration with EcoHealth, the troubling connections persist, casting doubt on the integrity of their current efforts.
Lawmakers have started to take notice. Representative Paul Gosar and Senator Joni Ernst have publicly criticized the NIH for its continued financial support of such potentially hazardous research. They are calling for an immediate cessation of the funding and greater accountability from the agency to prevent similar missteps in the future.
Justin Goodman, a senior executive at White Coat Waste Project, encapsulated the widespread concern, stating that “the exact same people who were behind the gain-of-function disaster in Wuhan are setting up a bat lab here on US soil with funding from Dr. Fauci.” This statement echoes the sentiment that the federal government is repeating the same mistakes, ignoring the past repercussions for the sake of experimental research.
The situation at CSU raises not only ethical questions but also practical concerns regarding public safety and the management of taxpayer dollars. With a history of negligence and a connection to controversial experiments, the implications of the planned Bat Resource Center warrant close scrutiny from both the public and regulatory bodies.
As the details of this emerging story unfold, it becomes increasingly clear that vigilance is essential. Past missteps should inform future decisions, guiding authorities to prioritize safety and transparency in research endeavors. Whether the government will heed the lessons from Wuhan remains to be seen.
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