According to Michael Lauer, the NIH deputy director for extramural research, there are more than 500 “scientists of concern” in the US.
These scientists have connections to foreign influences including China.
They are working in America’s academic intuitions and in research programs that receive federal funding.
A National Institutes of Health official announced the discovery of more than 500 “scientists of concern” with connections to China and other foreign influences who are working in academic institutions and research programs that receive federal funding.
The announcement was made Thursday by Michael Lauer, the NIH deputy director for extramural research, during a hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions aimed at protecting U.S. biomedical research, the Washington Examiner reported.
“I think one big problem, senators, is that the threat is significant,” Lauer said in the hearing. “We have identified over 500 scientists of concern. … Each of these require a tremendous amount of work to figure out what exactly has been happening and to work carefully with the institution to figure out what’s going on.”
“We’ve seen scientists who have told their American institutions and the NIH that they’re spending 100 percent of their time in the U.S., when, in fact, they’re spending 50 percent to 60 percent of their time in China — so they’re lying about how they’re spending their time, and that kind of blatant lie affects the credibility and the integrity of the entire enterprise.”
Lauer wasn’t the only one to speak out on foreign countries using scientists to steal US research.
During her testimony, Lisa Aguirre, the acting director of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of National Security warned that foreign actors are exploiting academic development efforts by the US for their own gain.
“Foreign actors seek to exploit government, private-sector, and academic development efforts in order to advance their own national interests while providing sponsorship to a variety of nontraditional activities to steal and co-opt U.S. research”