Imagine discovering a breakthrough for cancer treatment. Now imagine no one can learn about this work because the report on it contains “naughty” words like: “equal” or “diverse” or “women.”
This is now reality for countless researchers. Whose research is being stopped – research that tax payers were paying for – because the new administration deems their research to be “politically motivated.”
That means illness like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease are being made controversial. “Nearly 2,500 N.I.H. grants that have been ended or delayed,” according to the New York Times. This work stoppage endangers real scientific progress made by scientists across all fields. And it endangers our health and wellbeing.
National Institute for Health (N.I.H.) employees are also at risk, potentially facing serious consequences if they approve a grant not aligned with Trump’s agenda. The N.I.H. also faces more cuts to come, especially if studies are related to international partners or include any of those “banned” words.
These top-down, across the board cuts are serious, and while most of us are not directly impacted by a job loss, these cuts promise unstable disease management and public health safety for all. With Trump’s federal cuts to research across the nation, institutions like University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Emory University are threatened with unstable futures. Research is often changing, meaning it needs ongoing review and continual progress. Without sufficient funding from federal grants, these cuts not only threaten the future of current research projects, but also pose potential job losses for scientists. Jobs that fuel our innovation economy.
What can I do? Staying informed is the first step in this process. Although these stories are pervasive and anxiety-inducing, having an optimistic perspective is crucial when it comes to problem solving. Share these stories with your community, engage with scientific nonprofits in your area, remind all that science is important, and always think critically when examining any piece of information.
FROM:Here Are the Nearly 2,500 Medical Research Grants Canceled or Delayed by Trump – The New York Times
