Trump's 'gain-of-function' order makes it harder for Americans to handle another pandemic
MSNBC2 days
Trump Ends Federal Funding for Gain-of-Function Research
Above: A microbiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Image copyright: Unsplash
The Spin
Republican narrative
This is a crucial step in improving the safety and security of biological research in the U.S. Dangerous gain-of-function research has lacked adequate enforcement and transparency for decades, potentially endangering lives through accidental releases or deliberate misuse. The pandemic reaffirmed the catastrophic consequences of insufficient oversight, particularly in facilities with questionable safety standards.
Democratic narrative
This broad restriction on gain-of-function research threatens to cripple vital scientific progress and pandemic preparedness. Even when proper safeguards exist, the order's sweeping definition could halt important research. Rather than enhancing security, it weakens America's ability to detect, understand, and combat emerging viral threats and damages international scientific collaboration.