Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research

On May 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at enhancing the safety and security of biological research, particularly focusing on the controversial gain-of-function research. This order halts federal funding for such research conducted by foreign entities in countries with inadequate oversight, like China, and mandates the development of stricter oversight and accountability frameworks for both federally and non-federally funded research. The action could have significant legal and political implications, as it seeks to address biosecurity concerns while potentially altering international research collaborations, and it underscores a shift in U.S. policy toward greater scrutiny and regulation of biological research practices.