The US government has temporarily halted new funding for gain-of-function research on influenza, MERS and SARS viruses. Gain-of-function studies are defined as “research that improves the ability of a pathogen to cause disease.” The stoppage applies to research that “may be reasonably anticipated to confer attributes to influenza, MERS or SARS viruses such that the virus would have enhanced pathogenicity and/or transmissibility in mammals via the respiratory route.” The policy does not apply to research involving the natural occurrence of such viruses. A voluntary pause of research that is currently government funded or not government funded is encouraged. A deliberative process to evaluate the risks and benefits for such research will be led by the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity and be used to formulate new policies. The process is anticipated to be completed within a year.

Source: White House Office of Science and Technology Policy