Trump bans federal funding of “dangerous” gain-of-function research
The executive order targets high-risk bioengineering, calling time on a scientific gamble that is likely to have sparked a global catastrophe.
In a major policy shift, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order halting federal funding for “dangerous” gain-of-function (GoF) research.
The order defines such work as “scientific research on an infectious agent or toxin with the potential to cause disease by enhancing its pathogenicity or increasing its transmissibility.”
Sitting behind the Resolute desk, flanked by key health officials, Trump signed the order with his trademark black Sharpie.
“It’s a big deal,” he said in a subdued tone. “Could have been that we wouldn’t have had the problems we had… if we had this done earlier.”
The directive compels federal agencies to suspend funding for any project “reasonably determined to be dangerous.” It applies not only to domestic institutions, but also to research conducted in “countries of concern” such as China and Iran.
A reckoning led by dissenters
The announcement marked not only a change in policy, but a striking reversal in scientific leadership.