ICYMI: The White House Fully Legalized Gain of Function Research - for the Deadliest Pathogens

The "United States Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP)" establishes a framework for managing federally funded life sciences research involving biological agents and toxins. The policy, effective May 6, 2025, emphasizes safety, security, and ethical considerations for research with potential public health risks. It categorizes research into two groups (Category 1 and Category 2) based on the associated biosecurity risks and assigns oversight responsibilities to federal agencies, research institutions, and principal investigators, aiming for consistent risk management practices across research projects.

The most alarming aspect of the "U.S. Government Policy for Oversight of DURC and PEPP" is its handling of Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP). Specifically, the policy permits research that could involve engineering or selecting pathogens to be more transmissible or deadly, which raises significant biosecurity concerns. Here are key points of concern: