The United States government announced on July 28 the release of a new policy aimed at stopping high-risk life sciences research, specifically dangerous gain-of-function studies that could threaten public safety or national security.
According to the statement, the United States remains committed to advancing scientific innovation that improves health, safety, and well-being, but emphasizes that scientific progress must not come at the expense of public safety. The policy fulfills President Trump’s commitment to ensure federally supported life sciences research serves the interests of Americans.
The statement says, “This policy stops dangerous gain-of-function research that has the potential to threaten lives, disrupt communities, strain public health systems, and undermine America’s economic and national security if not properly restricted and controlled.” The announcement also highlights an “America First” approach by ensuring taxpayer dollars are never used for such risky research either domestically or abroad.
The new framework prohibits federal support for dangerous gain-of-function research, strengthens oversight of other high-risk life sciences projects, and restricts funding for work conducted in countries lacking appropriate safety standards. It establishes a transparent and accountable process intended to safeguard both innovation and responsibility in scientific leadership.
The statement concludes with encouragement for international partners: “We encourage our international partners to join us in ending dangerous gain-of-function research and adopting strong biosafety and biosecurity standards that make the world safer, more secure, and better prepared for future biological threats.”