Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement blasting President Joe Biden for waiving intellectual property provisions of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement related to the Covid vaccine:
“President Biden’s decision to allow a waiver of intellectual property provisions of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement for newly developed medicines and vaccines at the World Trade Organization is a monumental mistake that threatens continuing innovation and the current and future distribution of the vaccine in the fight against the Covid-19 virus.
“The cutting-edge innovation which has led to the development of four separate vaccines including two that use mRNA technology will effectively be distributed around the world under the guise of providing additional help to populations that have not received vaccinations. While this may seem noble on its face, the net result of the Biden action will likely be the end of new innovations on treatment and better vaccines and boosters. The Trump administration rejected the WTO waiver as it effectively allows a quantum technological leap in bio-weapon development in countries that don’t like the United States very much.
“Furthermore, it is doubtful that the waiver will produce many additional vaccines because the world is years behind in mRNA technology, meaning there are not many places with the skill to create them in a mass manufacturing setting. The short-term result will be in straining supply chains and result in counterfeit vaccines being created at a time when health professionals need to trust what they’re administering. We’re still going to have to produce most of this and all that’s changed is we’ll be required distribute limited supplies everywhere, allowing the world to raid our supply. Next fall, if this results in a slowdown in the U.S. of vaccine distribution for any further boosters that might be needed, it will fall on Biden’s head. However, those scientists and government’s intent on bio-weaponry development, including China which is in a race to develop a bio arsenal, may get answers on how a weapon might be defeated, making the world a less safe place.
“We urge President Biden to reconsider this decision. It won’t significantly increase the number of vaccines available, encourage development of even more advanced treatments and vaccines, while increasing our national security risks.”
For media availability contact Catherine Mortensen at 703-478-4643 or cmortensen@getliberty.org.
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