The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) has disclosed evidence of past federal funding for over 120 biological laboratories across more than 30 countries, including Ukraine. According to DNI Director Tulsi Gabbard, these facilities—which previously operated under the U.S. Biological Threat Reduction Program—conducted research on highly contagious pathogens, raising significant concerns regarding biosafety, ethics, and national security oversight.
What is the status of U.S.-funded biological laboratories?
As of June 2026, the United States has moved to terminate federal funding for laboratories involved in “gain-of-function” research. President Donald Trump ordered the cessation of these grants on May 25, 2025, citing the severe global risks associated with experiments designed to increase the virulence or transmissibility of pathogens. Director Gabbard stated that her office is now aggressively collecting intelligence on these international sites to address long-standing gaps in transparency and security protocols.
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) has publicly noted that certain categories of gain-of-function research present substantial biosafety challenges that require rigorous, transparent international oversight.
Why are facilities like the IECVM in Ukraine under scrutiny?
Declassified materials highlight the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine (IECVM) in Kharkiv, Ukraine, as a site of concern. According to U.S. intelligence documents, the facility stored hundreds of pathogen samples, including anthrax and Brucella. The report indicates that the facility remained vulnerable to physical damage and security breaches due to the ongoing conflict in the region and foreign information operations. While these labs were part of a collaborative program established by a 2005 agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine, intelligence officials now acknowledge that the internal biosafety and biosecurity measures at these sites contained documented deficiencies.
How does current research compare to historical objectives?
The collaboration originally intended to prevent the proliferation of biological weapons and expertise. However, official documentation reveals a shift in activity toward specialized veterinary and virological research.
| Research Category | Reported Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Virology | Avian Influenza Virus diagnostics and molecular characterization. |
| Veterinary Health | Analysis of African Swine Fever (ASF) and classical swine fever. |
While proponents argued these programs were essential for public health, Director Gabbard criticized the previous administration for allegedly obscuring the existence of these labs and suppressing internal warnings about the potential for catastrophic global outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is gain-of-function research? It is a type of scientific study that modifies an organism to gain a new trait, such as increased transmissibility or resistance to existing medical countermeasures.
- Why was funding stopped? According to the DNI, the decision follows an assessment of the “serious threat” posed by pathogens studied in these facilities and the lack of sufficient oversight.
- Are these labs still operating? The U.S. government has ended its funding, though the intelligence community continues to monitor these foreign sites to assess their current security and clinical activities.
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