Trump Administration Moves to Restrict ‘Gain-of-Function’ Research Amid Growing Safety Concerns

Trump Administration Moves to Restrict ‘Gain-of-Function’ Research Amid Growing Safety Concerns

The Trump administration is drafting an executive order to temporarily halt federal funding for controversial “gain-of-function” research on viruses, according to a Wall Street Journal report. This type of research involves altering pathogens to make them more transmissible or dangerous, raising alarm about its potential to spark a global health crisis.

The proposed order aims to prevent federally funded scientists from conducting such experiments on viruses that pose risks to human health. While some exceptions, such as the H5N1 bird flu virus, may apply, the specifics of the order are still being finalized, sources told the WSJ.

The move follows long-standing concerns about the dangers of gain-of-function studies. Critics, including some Republicans, have linked this type of research to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging the virus may have leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan, China. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, President Trump’s nominee to lead the National Institutes of Health, has publicly supported a pause on the research.

The controversy surrounding gain-of-function research dates back to the Obama administration, which implemented restrictions due to safety and ethical concerns. However, the practice resumed with enhanced oversight during later administrations. Proponents argue that studying how viruses might evolve in controlled settings is crucial for preparing against future pandemics.

“It would be a terrible idea to halt research that is necessary to protect us,” said Gigi Gronvall, an immunologist and biosafety expert at Johns Hopkins. She warned that limiting such studies in the U.S. could leave the country unprepared for viral threats and cede scientific ground to other nations that continue the work.

Despite its defenders, gain-of-function research remains divisive. The Biden administration has also taken steps to reevaluate its funding and regulation, signaling bipartisan apprehension about its risks.

The debate underscores the tension between advancing scientific discovery and ensuring global safety—an issue that gained renewed urgency during the pandemic.