The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and HHS are pausing funding on new research related to certain "gain-of-function studies."
In gain-of-function studies, researchers increase the ability of infectious agents' diseases for the purpose of better understanding disease pathways.
The government is reviewing activities related to the storage and handling of infectious agents following "recent biosafety incidents at federal research facilities," which includes assessing the risks and benefits of gain-of-function studies, according to an OSTP post.
The suspension of funding applies to gain-of-function experiments involving influenza, SARS and MERS viruses. The White House also "encourages those currently conducting this type of work — whether federally funded or not — to voluntarily pause their research while risks and benefits are being reassessed."
Funding will not stop for testing naturally occurring viruses "unless there is a reasonable expectation that these tests would increase transmissibility or pathgoenicity."
The funding pause will be lifted when the government has developed and adopted a policy regarding gain-of-function studies, which is expected in 2015.
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