WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order limiting U.S. funding for gain-of-function virus research in foreign countries, particularly targeting China. Citing lab leak theories tied to Covid-19's origin, the order halts support for high-risk pathogen experiments in nations deemed lacking oversight. Trump’s administration, including agencies like the FBI and CIA, has increasingly leaned toward the lab-leak theory. The directive also calls for stricter tracking of domestic research and new legislation to close oversight gaps, marking a significant shift in U.S. science and health policy.
