WASHINGTON, October 8 — The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has revealed that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) sold nine pieces of laboratory equipment, including dual-use technologies, without adhering to export controls over a three-year period. The GAO’s undercover investigation, initiated at the request of Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), unfolded between fiscal year 2022 and 2025. At the heart of the matter are three freeze dryers and six mass spectrometers, equipment with potential applications in biological weapons development.
Freeze dryers can preserve viruses and toxins for dissemination, while mass spectrometers analyze proteins and their responses to pathogens. Two freeze dryers were sold via GSA’s online auction for $29 and $208, respectively, despite original acquisition costs of approximately $12,000 and $25,000.
A third freeze dryer was sold as part of a lot for $10,000, compared to its original cost of roughly $234,000. The six mass spectrometers were auctioned for between $6,750 and $99,000, while their original costs ranged from $310,000 to $824,000. Some buyers purchased multiple items over the three-year period, including one individual who acquired more than 100 pieces of HHS inventory, such as imaging systems and DNA sequencers, and a company that bought refurbished lab equipment and made 14 additional purchases from HHS and USDA.
GAO investigators used fictitious identities, including a registered fake nonprofit, to obtain four restricted items during the operation. The investigation highlights the failure of HHS and USDA to disclose the equipment’s presence on the export control list to the General Services Administration (GSA) as required during the disposal process.
In response, HHS updated its manual to require staff to identify Commerce Control List items during disposal. All three agencies generally agreed with GAO’s corrective action plan. The GAO released a 46-page report detailing these findings on a Thursday, though the specific date is not provided in the source material.
As the investigation reveals, for those involved, the stakes are high. The potential misuse of these dual-use technologies in bioterrorism raises concerns about national security and public health. Looking ahead, the GAO’s findings underscore the need for stricter oversight in the sale of discarded lab equipment and protective clothing.
The U.S. administration, under President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will likely face pressure to address these issues and ensure the safety of American citizens and those in neighboring countries.
