Crackdown: No More U.S. Funds for Dangerous Overseas Bio Experiments
Published Date: 5/8/2025
Presidential Document
Summary
The government is cracking down on risky biological research that could harm people and national security. Federal funding for dangerous experiments, especially those done in other countries without strong safety rules, will stop right away. These changes affect scientists and research groups and aim to keep everyone safer while protecting U.S. interests—expect new rules and oversight starting now, with no extra costs announced.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 6 costs, 0 mixed.
Immediate stop to foreign risky research funding
The order directs agencies to immediately end Federal funding of dangerous gain-of-function research conducted by foreign entities in countries of concern (e.g., China) or in countries lacking adequate U.S. oversight. This applies to federally funded projects identified under 42 U.S.C. 6627(c).
Cut funding for other risky foreign life-science work
The order directs agencies to end Federal funding of other life-science research occurring in countries of concern or other foreign countries without adequate oversight when the work could reasonably pose a threat to public health, safety, economic, or national security. Agency heads will determine what research is covered.
Suspension of federally funded risky U.S. research
Heads of agencies must suspend federally funded dangerous gain-of-function research, pursuant to funding terms, at least until completion of the revised policy called for in section 4(a) of the order. Exceptions must be reported to the Director of OSTP for review.
New grant terms and 5-year ineligibility risk
Every life-science research contract or grant award must include enforcement terms: compliance is material to payment, recipients must certify they do not operate or fund banned dangerous research abroad, violations can be treated as institutional violations, and violators may face immediate revocation of funding and up to 5 years of ineligibility for Federal life-science grant funds.
Tightened nucleic acid screening rules in 90 days
Within 90 days the OSTP must revise or replace the 2024 Framework for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening and agencies that fund life-science research must ensure procurement is conducted through providers that adhere to the updated Framework, which will include enforcement mechanisms.
New strategy to govern non-federally funded risky research
Within 180 days OSTP must develop and implement a strategy to govern, limit, and track dangerous gain-of-function research in the United States that occurs without Federal funding, including actions to achieve nucleic acid screening in non-federally funded settings and a legislative proposal to address any authority gaps.
Public reporting on dangerous research activities
The order requires a reporting mechanism so federally funded research institutions must report dangerous gain-of-function research, and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, include research supported by non-Federal funding; the reporting should provide a publicly available source of information about programs and awards and note stopped or suspended projects.
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