President Donald Trump has enacted a transformative executive order that could profoundly influence the landscape of biological research. Titled “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research,” this directive navigates the complex terrain of high-risk pathogen studies, igniting both intrigue and contention. What perils lie within laboratories manipulating viruses, and how will this mandate shape the global battle against future pandemics?
On 5 May 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research,” focusing on restricting gain-of-function research.
It should be noted that gain-of-function research entails modifying pathogens, such as viruses, to enhance their transmissibility or virulence, typically to assess potential pandemic risks. Prompted by concerns over laboratory incidents, particularly those tied to theories about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, this order seeks to bolster safety and security in biological research.
The order addresses perceived risks from prior research practices, especially in foreign laboratories, and strives to balance scientific progress with public safety. It has sparked vigorous debate, with proponents arguing it is essential to prevent future pandemics and critics warning it may impede preparedness for infectious diseases.
Taking a closer look at the matter, the White House released a fact sheet detailing the order’s objectives and actions (White House Fact Sheet on Biological Research Safety). The official statement underscores:
Purpose: Addressing the hazards of gain-of-function research, which could precipitate widespread mortality, strain public health systems, and pose national security threats if mishandled.
Key Actions:
- Ends federal funding for dangerous gain-of-function research in countries of concern, such as China and Iran, and nations with inadequate oversight.
- Empowers U.S. agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to identify and terminate funding for biological research that threatens public health, safety, or national security.
- Prohibits federal funding for foreign research likely to trigger another pandemic.
- Pauses U.S. research involving infectious pathogens and toxins until a safer, more enforceable, and transparent policy is developed within 120 days, directed by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Security Advisor (NSA).
- Includes enforcement and reporting mechanisms to strengthen oversight.
The implementation requires federal agencies to review funding practices, establishing new policies to ensure transparency and safety, with the aim of minimising laboratory-related incidents, such as those associated with bat coronavirus research. The order criticises prior policies, such as the 2024 U.S. Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (DURC/PEPP), for relying on self-reporting and failing to safeguard Americans. It also critiques the Biden administration for permitting such research with insufficient oversight in countries like China.
The White House asserts that the order does not hinder productive biological research, ensuring U.S. readiness against biological threats and leadership in biotechnology, biosecurity, and health research. President Trump has posited that COVID-19 originated from a laboratory leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, advocating for transparency in investigating its origins.
Operational Details: How It Will Work
The executive order operates by curtailing federal funding for gain-of-function research abroad, particularly in countries with limited U.S. oversight. It pauses domestic research on infectious pathogens and toxins, mandating a 120-day period for policy development by the OSTP and NSA. This includes:
- Funding Restrictions: No federal funds will support gain-of-function research in China, Iran, or other nations with inadequate biosafety enforcement.
- Oversight Enhancements: Agencies must report on research activities, ensuring compliance with new safety standards.
- Policy Development: A new framework will be established to balance research needs with safety, potentially impacting international collaborations.
This approach seeks to mitigate risks while preserving U.S. leadership in biotechnology, as highlighted in the fact sheet.
Facilities Referred To and Their Histories
The order specifically references facilities embroiled in past controversies, notably:
EcoHealth Alliance:
- A U.S.-based nonprofit that has collaborated with the Wuhan Institute of Virology on bat coronavirus research since 2014, funded by the NIH (Nature – EcoHealth Alliance).
- Its work focused on studying virus spillover from bats to humans, particularly in Yunnan Province, China, to identify pandemic potential.
- It faced scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic, with allegations of violating grant terms, leading to funding suspensions in 2024 (Science – EcoHealth Funding Suspension).
- The organisation denies conducting gain-of-function research, stating its studies involved viruses not shown to infect humans (EcoHealth Alliance Response).
Wuhan Institute of Virology: - Located in Wuhan, China, this laboratory has been a hub for coronavirus research, including gain-of-function experiments on bat coronaviruses (NPR – Wuhan Lab Research).
- It collaborated with EcoHealth Alliance, receiving U.S. funding for studies that some allege contributed to the COVID-19 outbreak, though no conclusive evidence supports a laboratory leak theory.
- Criticised for biosafety practices, it remains central to debates over research transparency and safety (The Intercept – Wuhan Lab Funding).
The histories of both facilities underscore tensions between scientific advancement and safety, with EcoHealth Alliance’s funding cuts reflecting ongoing political and scientific debates.
Countries Involved
The executive order explicitly identifies China and Iran as countries of concern, where federal funding for gain-of-function research will be restricted. This decision stems from concerns about limited U.S. oversight and inadequate biosafety enforcement in these nations, as noted in the White House fact sheet. The order aims to prevent laboratory-related incidents in regions perceived as higher risk.
President Trump’s executive order, “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research,” heralds a defining juncture in the oversight of high-stakes biological studies. By imposing stringent controls on gain-of-function research and scrutinising entities like EcoHealth Alliance and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, as well as nations such as China and Iran, the directive strives to bolster global biosecurity amid fervent debate. While it confronts genuine risks tied to laboratory practices, the absence of evidence for profit-driven synthetic viruses shifts the focus to research-driven pathogen studies.
This bold policy compels researchers, policymakers, and the global community to chart a course that mitigates catastrophic risks while fostering the innovation essential to thwarting future pandemics.
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