Unrestricted pathogen research could endanger the lives of Americans, the US president has claimed
US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order restricting federal funding for “gain-of-function” research into viruses and other biological agents in the US and abroad, including China.
”Gain-of-function” or “dual use” studies have been gaining controversy after the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump has suggested that a lab leak in Wuhan, China, where US-funded research was based, was the source of the outbreak that brought the world to a standstill.
Beijing has denied the claims and accused Washington of trying to smear China.
Unrestricted gain-of-function research could “significantly endanger the lives of American citizens,” among other things, Trump’s order alleges, and lead to “widespread mortality, an impaired public health system, disrupted American livelihoods, and diminished economic and national security.”
Trump ordered an end to federal funding for “dangerous gain-of-function research” in “countries of concern,” such as China and Iran, citing “biological threats”. He argued that US taxpayer-funded research should help Americans, without threatening national security.
Similar US-based programs will be suspended for at least 120 days during which existing policies on dual-use research will be revised or replaced, according to the document.
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The document also blamed the administration of Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden for allowing “dangerous” research into viruses in the US and “actively” approving funding for similar projects abroad, where Washington’s oversight is limited.
Moscow has repeatedly alleged that US-backed biological research laboratories in Ukraine and other countries near Russian borders are involved in bioweapons research.
Washington has acknowledged providing support to laboratories in Ukraine but insisted that they were owned by Kiev and focused solely on preventing the outbreaks of infectious diseases and developing vaccines.
The Defense Ministry in Moscow has claimed that the US has transferred unfinished Ukrainian projects to post-Soviet states and Southeast Asia, while also singling out Africa as a focal point of Washington’s interests.
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