Trump administration prepares executive order to halt controversial virus research

The Trump administration is preparing to issue an executive order that would temporarily halt US funding for a controversial type of virus research known as “gain-of-function” studies, which involve manipulating viruses to make them more contagious or harmful.

The proposed order seeks to prevent US scientists from conducting gain-of-function research on viruses that could pose a significant threat to public health, according to individuals familiar with the matter, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Some viruses, such as the H5N1 bird flu virus, may be exempt from the order, one source indicated. The executive order is still in development and has not been finalized.

Some Republican figures have blamed gain-of-function research for the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting the virus may have originated from a laboratory experiment. Supporters of the research argue that it helps scientists understand how pathogens could potentially infect humans and find ways to mitigate them.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, President Trump's nominee to head the National Institutes of Health, has voiced support for pausing this type of research.

Gain-of-function research has long been a core part of virology studies but gained significant scrutiny during the pandemic. Congressional Republicans were vocal in their criticism, and the Biden administration has begun taking steps to limit such research.

In these studies, researchers modify viruses in controlled laboratory settings to observe how they could potentially spread or evade treatments. Many virologists contend that studying viruses in regulated environments is crucial for preparing for future pandemics.

Defenders also argue that if the US limits this research, other countries will continue their work, potentially leaving the U.S. behind in scientific advancements.

By Vafa Guliyeva