An executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Monday has banned all U.S. funding for biological research in countries deemed risky, such as China and Iran.
This decision is part of Trump’s broader initiative to enhance safety and security concerning biological studies, both domestically and internationally.
The president has consistently supported the view that SARS-COV-2, widely recognized as the coronavirus, originated from a leak at the Wuhan Institute due to insufficient safety practices in gain-of-function research.
The White House stated that this order “will significantly reduce the likelihood of lab-related incidents, including gain-of-function research,” referencing the activities associated with the EcoHealth Alliance and the Wuhan Institute.
Gain-of-function research typically modifies viruses to increase their infectious potential in humans. Prior to the onset of the pandemic, such studies were occurring at the Wuhan Institute.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized that “no labs are immune to leaks,” suggesting this measure aims to avert future accidental releases that could endanger people.
Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health, remarked that countries pursuing this research pose risks to their citizens and the global community, as evidenced during the pandemic.
The order is designed to safeguard Americans from potential laboratory accidents and other biosecurity threats, including incidents reminiscent of Covid-19 and the 1977 Russian influenza. According to the White House, this move can halt all current and future federal funding for gain-of-function research in regions with inadequate oversight.
In a fact sheet, the White House noted that for years, policies concerning gain-of-function research on pathogens lacked the necessary enforcement and transparency, stating, “Researchers often overlook the genuine risks that this type of research may pose to society.”
For more insights, refer to the White House statement titled “Improved safety and security of biological research.”
