Trump Signs Executive Order Halting Federal Funding for Gain-of-Function Research
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- May 6
- 2 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Right-Leaning
Why: The article emphasizes national security concerns and critiques international collaboration in scientific research, aligning with conservative viewpoints.
Overview
On May 5, 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning federal funding for gain-of-function (GoF) research, particularly in countries like China and Iran. This type of research involves modifying viruses to better understand their potential to cause pandemics. The decision follows growing concerns over lab safety and the possible role of such research in the origin of COVID-19.
Key Provisions of the Executive Order
Funding Ban: Immediate termination of federal funding for gain-of-function research conducted in foreign countries deemed to lack proper oversight, including China and Iran.
Domestic Pause: A temporary halt on U.S.-based gain-of-function research involving potentially dangerous pathogens, pending stricter safety guidelines.
Policy Review: The Office of Science and Technology Policy, in coordination with the National Security Advisor, has been tasked with developing new protocols to govern such research activities.
Background and Rationale
The Trump administration cited past collaborations, such as those between EcoHealth Alliance and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, as examples of risky ventures that lacked transparency and oversight. These collaborations have been the subject of scrutiny during investigations into the origins of COVID-19.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supported the move, stating that it is aimed at ending U.S. involvement in biological research that could be perceived as dangerous or related to bioweapons development.
Historical Context
2014: The Obama administration paused funding for specific gain-of-function experiments involving viruses like SARS and MERS due to safety concerns.
2017: The Trump administration lifted the pause, allowing the research to proceed but requiring risk-benefit evaluations.
2024: The Biden administration maintained a review process under the Department of Health and Human Services but did not impose an outright ban.
Despite these oversight mechanisms, critics argue that enforcement has been inconsistent, and certain high-risk research activities have continued with minimal federal review.
Reactions and Implications
The executive order has drawn a range of reactions from the scientific and political communities:
Supporters say it is a critical step to prevent future pandemics and protect national security. They argue that current oversight systems are insufficient to mitigate the risks posed by manipulating dangerous pathogens.
Critics argue the ban could restrict important scientific advancements, delay pandemic preparedness, and alienate international research partners.
The order also allows federal agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health, to intervene and halt any research considered a threat to public health or security.
Future Outlook
The administration intends to create enforceable and transparent biosafety standards before lifting the domestic research pause. These guidelines aim to ensure that any federally funded research involving high-risk pathogens follows strict safety and ethical criteria.
Until those standards are in place, all relevant research will remain paused, reflecting a broader shift toward a more cautious approach to biological research with potential global consequences.
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