President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday restricting gain-of-function research, which involves deliberately altering viruses and pathogens to enhance capabilities like transmissibility or harmfulness.
While the goal of such research is to understand potential threats and develop countermeasures, the administration says it is concerned with its potential to cause another pandemic.
“Dangerous gain-of-function research on biological agents and pathogens has the potential to significantly endanger the lives of American citizens,” the order says. “If left unrestricted, its effects can include widespread mortality, an impaired public health system, disrupted American livelihoods, and diminished economic and national security.”
Advocates of gain-of-function research restrictions said the COVID-19 pandemic, which killed more than an…
