President Trump signed an executive order aimed at further restricting gain of function experiments on pathogens and toxins, reigniting a long-standing debate about the associated risks and benefits. Critics claim the danger of creating a harmful pandemic overshadows potential research benefits. This order follows a history of fluctuating federal policies on such research, notably the previous ban lifted in 2017. Trump's renewed focus on these experiments ties into the controversial discussions surrounding COVID-19's origins, linking them back to a lab in Wuhan despite competing theories based on market transmissions.
President Trump emphasized the importance of limiting risky experimentation, stating, 'I think I said that from Day 1, that it leaked out,' during the signing ceremony.
Critics of gain of function research argue the potential for an accidental pandemic outweighs the benefits, especially following the COVID-19 crisis.
American intelligence agencies are split on the origins of COVID-19, with the Department of Energy and F.B.I. supporting the lab leak theory, albeit with low confidence.
The article outlines the history of gain of function research debates, highlighting Trump's recent executive order as a response to ongoing concerns about public safety.
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