Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to restrict federal funding for gain-of-function research, a controversial practice involving lab-induced pathogen mutations to study increased harmfulness. The signing took place in the Oval Office, with then-HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other officials present. They reiterated claims linking the covid-19 pandemic to a leak from a Chinese research facility conducting such research, asserting this “lab leak” theory as the scientific consensus, despite evidence to the contrary.
Executive Order Details
The executive order, titled “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research,” mandates the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy Director to collaborate with federal agencies. The goal is to develop guidelines halting federal funding for all gain-of-function research, both domestically and internationally. The order also directs agencies to monitor non-federally funded gain-of-function research within the U.S. and explore methods to curtail it.
The Gain-of-Function Debate
Gain-of-function research has long sparked debate within the scientific community due to its inherent trade-offs. A 2012 Nature journal study detailing the creation of a mutant bird flu strain drew criticism, resonating particularly now amidst the ongoing H5N1 avian flu outbreak, which has spread to other mammals.
This debate extends beyond scientific publications. The research aims to provide a “pre-emptive strike” against potentially dangerous viruses by understanding their mechanisms. While risky, it can yield benefits. Understanding potential viral mutations allows for early development of countermeasures like vaccines.
“Nature has likely already created just about every mutation scientists can make,” virologist Patrick Moore of the University of Pittsburgh stated in 2017. “This explains the constant emergence of new viruses.”
However, the risks are undeniable. In 2014, President Barack Obama suspended funding for gain-of-function research following security breaches involving lethal pathogens, including anthrax at the CDC, smallpox at the FDA, and bird flu at the USDA. This ban was lifted by the NIH in late 2017 during President Trump’s first term.
Contested Claims and the Lab Leak Theory
While the debate around gain-of-function research and its safety is legitimate, the White House event surrounding the executive order featured several contested claims bordering on conspiracy theories.
FDA commissioner Marty Makary, present at the signing, echoed Trump’s narrative regarding covid-19’s origins. “It’s unbelievable the entire covid nightmare was likely preventable,” Makary stated, commending Trump’s early suspicion of a Wuhan lab leak, claiming it was now the “leading theory among scientists.”
However, current research, including genomic data analysis, points towards natural origins. A February 2025 study revealed most virologists and relevant experts still favor natural origins over the lab leak theory.
Conclusion
The executive order halting gain-of-function research funding highlights the complex interplay of scientific advancement, potential risks, and political narratives. While concerns about safety are valid, basing policy on unsubstantiated claims risks hindering crucial research and undermining scientific integrity. The debate surrounding gain-of-function research deserves careful consideration based on scientific evidence, not ideology.
