> In a back-and-forth with Andersen that sounded something like a rudimentary lesson in scientific hypotheses, Representative Jamie Raskin (D–MD) brought up an

> In a back-and-forth with Andersen that sounded something like a rudimentary lesson in scientific hypotheses, Representative Jamie Raskin (D–MD) brought up an email in which the Scripps Research scientist said he and his colleagues wanted to “disprove any type of lab leak theory.” Republican members assert that this betrayed Andersen’s ill intent. “You meant pursuing the scientific process by which you have a hypothesis, which stands unless it’s disproven, is that right?” Raskin asked Andersen. “That is correct,” Andersen said. “I’m referring to the concept of what’s called falsification.” If any scientist reads this, if someone privately says they want to "disprove any type of lab leak theory" then they aren't talking about a good faith experiment. That's not how scientists talk about questions they are trying to find the actual answers to. But on the other hand I wouldn't want some guys in suits and American flag lapel pins subpoenaing my DMs or all up in my FOIA requests every time I did a research on a politically adjacent research topic, and if they were then I'd certainly make the argument that these guys are making, that they are humble scientists doing the scientific method just like Bill Nye says on TV.