US government sold off old lab equipment despite biosecurity risk
EXCLUSIVE — Federal agencies sold off used or excess laboratory equipment flagged as high-risk exports that could be used in biological warfare to apparent resellers, according to an undercover investigation conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
TL;DR
- Federal agencies sold used or excess laboratory equipment flagged as high-risk exports.
- The equipment could potentially be used in biological warfare.
- The sales were made to apparent resellers in the U.S. and Canada.
- The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
- Sales occurred between fiscal year 2022 and 2025.
- The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture were involved.