Overview

• President Trump signed an executive order on May 5, 2025, imposing strict bans on gain-of-function research to address biosafety risks.
• The order halts domestic research on infectious pathogens until stricter safety measures are implemented and bans federal funding for such research in countries like China and Iran.
• The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) is tasked with centralized enforcement, including the authority to suspend grants for up to five years for violations.
• The move builds on limited measures from the Obama and Biden administrations, aiming to close enforcement gaps and prevent future lab-related pandemics.
• Supporters cite pandemic prevention as the priority, while critics warn the restrictions could hinder the development of treatments and preparedness for future outbreaks.