Trump Restricts Gain-of-Function Research

In May 2025, President Trump signed an executive order halting what he called "dangerous gain-of-function (GOF) research" on viruses and pathogens, claiming that such research was being conducted in the U.S. without sufficient oversight. During his announcement, Trump referenced the controversial theory that the COVID-19 virus originated from a lab in China that was using similar research methods.

Following the executive order, researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) began reviewing experiments to assess their risks and make recommendations on which studies should be discontinued. The review identified five tuberculosis studies that included GOF techniques as defined by the order and an additional eleven tuberculosis studies using similar methods, but which scientists have deemed safe and have used for decades.

At a meeting on June 23, the acting director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases approved the recommendations, agreeing that the eleven additional studies should continue. However, on July 3, Matthew Memoli, the deputy director of the NIH, overrode the recommendations and ordered the suspension of 40 experiments, including the eleven tuberculosis studies.

The administration’s actions have raised concerns that political influence could undermine scientific inquiry and halt beneficial research. Robert Garry, a virologist at Tulane University, stated, “Virologists are concerned about biosecurity and biosafety… We live with the viruses every day. Nobody would want their staff and their students to get infected.”