Francis Collins, the former director of the NIH, revealed that his decision to resign stemmed from a restrictive environment under Trump's administration. Following Trump's inauguration, Collins noted a halt in open scientific dialogue and highlighted the financial challenges facing the NIH due to budget cuts. With a temporary freeze on spending and grant communications, the agency has awarded considerably less funding, impacting vital research on critical health issues. The cuts and personnel terminations raised alarms among medical research advocates about the jeopardization of ongoing projects, particularly those benefiting marginalized populations.
Former NIH director Francis Collins stated that after Trump's second term began, the agency became 'untenable', leaving scientists unable to communicate in scientific or public settings.
Collins noted that staying at NIH would not have been helpful because he felt he would remain unable to speak out about pressing issues.
The Trump administration's sweeping budget cuts and ideologically driven policies threaten the NIH, which funds significant biomedical research essential for various diseases.
The NIH's recent spending freeze, grant application review suspension, and terminations of grants have jeopardized crucial research and funding for marginalized communities and health issues.
Collection
[
|
...
]