- President Donald Trump signed an order suspending federal funding for gain-of-function research both domestically and in "countries of concern" like China and Iran, citing pandemic risks and national security concerns.
- Gain-of-function studies manipulate pathogens to study their evolution, aiming to prepare for pandemics. But critics warn they could accidentally create or release dangerous viruses, as speculated in the COVID-19 lab-leak theory.
- The order pauses U.S. research for 120 days for review, strengthens oversight and cuts funding abroad where oversight is limited, reflecting Trump's belief that COVID-19 originated from a Wuhan lab leak.
- Supporters argue the move prevents future leaks, while critics warn it could hinder pandemic preparedness. The debate is further polarized by U.S.-China tensions over transparency and Russia's claims about U.S.-backed biolabs.
- The decision underscores the intersection of science, politics and security, raising questions about balancing research risks with global health collaboration.
In a move that has sparked intense debate among scientists, policymakers and the public, President Donald Trump signed an executive order (EO) halting federal funding for controversial "gain-of-function" research.
The May 6 decision affects research both domestically and abroad, including in China and Iran. It is driven by concerns that such studies could inadvertently or deliberately lead to pandemics, posing significant risks to American lives and national security.
Gain-of-function research, also known as "dual-use" research, involves manipulating viruses and other pathogens to understand how they might evolve to become more transmissible or deadly. While the goal is to gain insights into potential pandemics and develop countermeasures, critics argue that this research could create more dangerous pathogens that could escape from laboratories. (Related: WSJ's misleading claims on gain-of-function research debunked as Trump considers funding ban.)
The controversy surrounding gain-of-function research intensified during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has claimed an estimated seven million lives worldwide. Several experts have suggested that the pandemic may have originated from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, where U.S.-funded gain-of-function research was conducted.
Trump's EO aims to end federal funding for gain-of-function research in "countries of concern" such as China and Iran, where the U.S. has limited oversight capabilities. It also seeks to suspend similar research in the U.S. for at least 120 days to allow for a comprehensive review and revision of existing policies.
Moreover, the order aims to strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure that biomedical research is conducted safely and does not pose a threat to public health or national security. It reflects Trump's long-held belief that the COVID-19 pandemic was likely the result of a lab leak.
Trump EO bans risky research to protect America from bioweapons
The lab leak theory has been a subject of intense debate since the early days of the pandemic. While some scientists argue that the virus likely originated from a natural source, such as an infected animal, others point to the proximity of the initial outbreak to the Wuhan lab as evidence of a potential leak. "It can leak out innocently, stupidly and incompetently, and half destroy the world," Trump told reporters at the White House.
U.S. intelligence agencies have released assessments suggesting that the virus "probably emerged and infected humans" through a small exposure by November 2019, but they remain divided over whether the exposure was from a lab or a natural source. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also weighed in, with experts finding it "extremely unlikely" that the pandemic was caused by a lab leak.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who supported the EO, also weighed in. "There's no laboratory that's immune from leaks, and this is going to prevent those kind of inadvertent leaks from happening in the future and endangering humanity," he said.
The debate over gain-of-function research is also deeply intertwined with international politics. The U.S. has accused China of lack of transparency and cooperation in investigating the origins of COVID-19, while Beijing has denied the lab leak theory and accused the U.S. of politicizing the issue. Moscow has also weighed in, alleging that U.S.-backed biological research laboratories in Ukraine and other countries near Russian borders are involved in bioweapons research
Trump's EO halting gain-of-function research is a significant move that reflects ongoing concerns about the risks associated with this type of research. Despite criticism, the decision aims to protect Americans from potential pandemics.
Watch Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) explaining to Maria Bartiromo that Dr. Anthony Fauci was consumed with deflecting talk of the COVID-19 lab leak theory in this clip.
This video is from the Red Voice Media channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Rep. Jim Jordan: Fauci prioritized gain-of-function research, concealed real origin of COVID-19.
Project Veritas report proves Fauci lied under oath about gain-of-function research.
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