NIH Employees Unite: Hundreds Sign Protest Letter Against Agency Director

Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford professor, gained attention five years ago for his role in the Great Barrington Declaration. That letter argued against strict Covid measures like vaccine mandates and school closures. Since then, he became a public figure, advising conservative lawmakers and now leads a major biomedical research funder.

Recently, over 300 employees of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued their own statement. This “Bethesda Declaration” criticized actions taken during President Trump’s second term, particularly concerning cuts to vital research on health disparities and climate change, and the dismissal of key NIH staff. It aimed to highlight how these changes threaten public health and the agency’s mission.

Jenna Norton, a program officer at the NIH, explained, “We want Jay Bhattacharya to see himself in this letter. If he believes in academic freedom, he should listen to us.” The declaration was signed by 336 individuals, with some choosing to remain anonymous due to fear of repercussions.

Their letter is not just an internal critique; it also seeks to engage the public and influence the new administration. High-profile scientists, including 19 Nobel laureates, supported this initiative, showing wide concern within the scientific community.

In just four months, the NIH faced significant shifts under the Trump administration. Some employees experienced stress and fear as they watched executive orders unfold, potentially jeopardizing their jobs and projects.

Norton described her concerns about messages from NIH leadership, suggesting they might be misinformed or misleading. This climate has stirred anxiety among employees, many of whom fear for their careers.

“It was daunting to see such changes,” said Anna Culbertson, a former program specialist at NIH. She was caught up in layoffs and felt the pressure of sudden policy shifts. “We needed a collective voice,” she said, noting they had no leadership to guide them.

As employees united over these concerns, they expressed fear of being targeted online or even losing their jobs for speaking out. Norton compared their situation to a story she tells her children: “You can’t be brave without being scared.”

This dialogue at NIH reflects a larger issue within many scientific communities, where dissent has become essential to advocate for the integrity of research and public health. The Bethesda Declaration aims to ensure that science continues to serve the needs of all communities.

For further information regarding the NIH’s funding changes and their implications, you can refer to detailed studies conducted by trusted sources like the National Institutes of Health and other scientific databases.



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