President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting federal funding for gain-of-function biomedical research in China and Iran, amid rising tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly regarding trade. This decision stems from concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic might have originated from a lab leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a theory that Trump has consistently supported. His order aims to prevent future pandemics by stopping research that explores how viruses can become more potent.
Gain-of-function studies investigate the evolution of pathogens like avian influenza and SARS, but Trump’s administration argues that they pose risks, particularly in nations with limited research oversight. The order intends to reduce the likelihood of lab-related incidents and protect American citizens from potential biosecurity threats.
This announcement comes on the heels of the resignation of Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s top vaccine official, which affected shares of U.S. drugmakers. The political climate surrounding the origins of COVID-19 is contentious, with U.S. intelligence indicating that the virus “probably emerged” from human exposure, yet some remain divided on whether it could have been linked to laboratory research.
China’s foreign ministry has dismissed the lab leak theory, asserting that a World Health Organization study found it “extremely unlikely.” Following the order’s signing, Trump reaffirmed his belief in the lab leak theory, while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. noted the importance of preventing future inadvertent leaks.
Despite the potential benefits of gain-of-function research in vaccine development, its necessity is debated. The National Institutes of Health emphasizes that contributions to vaccine advancements require careful scrutiny. Critics like Kennedy argue that historical outcomes from such research have not justified its continuation.
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