The United States has cut off federal funding for dangerous gain-of-function research at home and abroad, banning taxpayer-supported experiments that enhance the transmissibility or lethality of pathogens.
The policy published on July 28 by the Department of Health and Human Services imposes stricter oversight on all life-science research and restricts financial support for work in countries lacking adequate regulatory safeguards. National Institutes of Health director Jay Bhattacharya, who announced the directive jointly with the State Department, called it an "America First" approach to scientific research. The measure follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump in May 2025.
The crackdown comes after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard disclosed in June 2026 that the US had funded more than 120 biological laboratories across over 30 countries, including Ukraine. Separately, Senator Rand Paul released the private diary of former NIAID director Anthony Fauci, adding to political pressure on past biosafety practices.