NIH Employees Unveil ‘Bethesda Declaration’ to Challenge Trump Administration Policies | CNN

In October 2020, just before Covid-19 vaccines were available in the U.S., Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford health policy professor, joined two colleagues to publish an open letter. They argued for a different approach to pandemic management: protect the vulnerable and let others return to normal life to achieve herd immunity through natural infection. This letter became known as the Great Barrington Declaration, named after the Massachusetts town where it was signed.

The response to their declaration was swift and critical. The World Health Organization’s director-general called the idea of allowing a dangerous virus to spread unchecked “unethical.” After facing significant backlash, Bhattacharya testified before Congress, explaining that he and his colleagues were subjected to censorship by leading health agencies.

Fast forward to today, and Bhattacharya now leads the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Recently, staff at the NIH issued the Bethesda Declaration, expressing concern over what they viewed as the politicization of scientific research during the Trump administration. This letter, reminiscent of the Great Barrington Declaration, criticized the hindrances to scientific progress they believe have arisen due to political influence.

The NIH staffers, over 300 of them, signed this declaration, with nearly 100 names made public despite fears of retaliation. Their letter called on Bhattacharya to restore funding for crucial research that many felt had been unjustly delayed or terminated for political reasons.

Dr. Jenna Norton, a lead organizer of the Bethesda Declaration, emphasized the importance of standing up for research participants and public health. She pointed out that halting research studies leads to wasted resources and prolongs health disparities in areas like Covid-19 and climate change.

A striking statistic highlighted in their letter is that around 2,100 NIH grants worth approximately $9.5 billion have been terminated since the Trump administration. This was coupled with calls for the budget cuts facing the NIH, which had a budget of around $48 billion annually, to be reconsidered. Experts have noted that cutting funds not only stunts scientific progress but can lead to a dangerous ripple effect in health advancements.

Additionally, a group of outside supporters, including several Nobel Prize winners, echoed this sentiment in a letter posted by the non-profit organization Stand Up for Science. They urged NIH and the Department of Health and Human Services to reject using the agency for political goals unrelated to its mission.

Reflecting on the historical context, the NIH has long been a leader in biomedical research. Significant advancements in healthcare have stemmed from the work conducted under its funding, leading the U.S. to be regarded as a global hub for biomedical innovation. Dr. Jeremy Berg, who formerly directed the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at NIH, noted the broad acceptance of government funding for disease research, emphasizing the universal concern for health in society.

Bhattacharya’s testimony before Congress brings to light the ongoing struggles within the NIH. The Bethesda Declaration and its ensuing support illustrate a push for scientists to reclaim their mission: to conduct research unfettered by political agendas. The balance between scientific integrity and political influence remains a vital conversation in public health today.

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