Trump Administration Working On Executive Order To Halt Federal Funding For the Type Of Research Which Led to COVID-19 Pandemic

Source: WSJ

In a focused effort to prevent research which has the potential to do more harm to the public. The Trump administration is working on an executive order to temporarily halt federal funding for certain types of gain-of-function virus research. This controversial field aims to understand how pathogens might evolve to become more dangerous or contagious, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The decision comes amid growing concerns about the safety of gain-of-function research, which has faced significant criticism, particularly from Republican lawmakers. Critics, including some members of Congress, have linked the COVID-19 pandemic to such research, suggesting a possible lab leak from Wuhan, China, as the virus’s source.

The proposed order, still under review, seeks to stop US-funded scientists from modifying viruses in ways that could pose risks to human health. However, some pathogens, like the H5N1 bird flu virus, might be exempt from this pause.