The US government has funded more than 120 biological laboratories in over 30 countries, many of which conducted research involving hazardous and highly contagious pathogens with limited oversight, according to declassified intelligence and public disclosures [1, 2].
Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released declassified records on June 11 and 12 detailing the extent of US support for overseas biolabs, with a particular focus on Ukraine. The records show over 40 labs in Ukraine handled Soviet-era biological warfare pathogens and researched especially dangerous pathogens including anthrax, Ebola, MERS, SARS and plague [1].
Among the labs cited is the Kherson Diagnostic Laboratory, which received $1,728,822 in US funding while still awaiting authorization to work with specific pathogens, raising concerns over oversight [1].
Gabbard accused some politicians, health officials, and Biden administration security officials of hiding facts about the labs and threatening whistleblowers. She said, “The information surrounding the existence, history, locations and funding of these US-funded biolabs has been intentionally covered up by powerful people falsely, claiming that they do not exist and accusing anyone who says otherwise of being foreign assets and traitors to America.” [2]
However, some discrepancies remain over the exact number and status of the labs. While one source states more than 40 Ukrainian labs have researched dangerous pathogens, another notes only four US-funded Ukrainian labs are specifically identified in declassified files, with unclear information about the other labs’ locations or activity [1, 2].
A policy change in May 2025 under President Donald Trump ended US federal funding for gain-of-function research worldwide, aiming to curb risks linked to engineering more contagious or deadly pathogens [1, 2]. The intelligence community has since expanded reviews of overseas biolabs and their activities, including clinical trials, to assess related risks [1].
Gabbard pledged that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence will keep working with government partners to pinpoint lab locations and pathogens to prevent dangerous gain-of-function research threatening global health. “ODNI will continue to work closely with partners across the government to identify where these labs are, what pathogens they contain to end dangerous Gain-of-Function research that threatens the health and wellbeing of the American people and people around the world,” she said [1].
