NIH Scientists to Director Hands Off Our Research!

NIH Scientists Issue Urgent Call to Protect Biomedical Research

In a significant move, hundreds of scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have united to voice their concerns over recent cutbacks and policy changes at the agency. Dubbed the Bethesda Declaration, this collective call for action urges NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya to safeguard the integrity and mission of biomedical research.

Organized by NIH staffers on the sprawling Bethesda, Md., campus, the declaration has garnered over 340 signatures. The scientists express deep apprehension that the current administration is prioritizing political agendas over academic freedom, a cornerstone of scientific progress.

The core concerns highlighted in the Bethesda Declaration include:

• Politicization of research: Allegations that the NIH is being influenced by political considerations.
• Stigmatization of health disparity studies: Claims that research into health disparities is being unfairly targeted.
• Research cuts: Concerns over reduced funding for critical areas such as COVID-19, long COVID, climate change's health impacts, and medical issues related to gender and intersex people.

The declaration emphasizes the gravity of the situation: "For staff across the National Institutes of Health (NIH), we dissent to administration policies that undermine the NIH mission, waste public resources, and harm the health of Americans and people across the globe."

What makes this declaration particularly noteworthy is the inherent risk involved. Many NIH employees fear retribution for publicly criticizing the administration, creating a climate of "fear and suppression," as the declaration itself states. Ninety-two employees bravely revealed their names, underscoring the urgency and importance of their message.

Jenna Norton, a lead organizer and program officer at the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, articulated the driving force behind the declaration: "Standing up in this way is a risk, but I am much more worried about the risks of not speaking up. If we don't speak up, we allow continued harm to research participants and public health in America and across the globe. If we don't speak up, we allow our government to curtail free speech, a fundamental American value."

In response to the Bethesda Declaration, Director Bhattacharya acknowledged the dissent, stating that it "has some fundamental misconceptions about the policy directions the NIH has taken in recent months," while also affirming the importance of "respectful dissent in science."

However, some scientists paint a starkly different picture, describing a sense of despair and anguish within the NIH. Sarah Kobrin, a veteran of the National Cancer Institute, characterized the situation as a "horror show," emphasizing the immense stress and potential long-term damage to biomedical research.

Ian Morgan, a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Genomic Medicine, echoed this sentiment, describing the current environment as an "extinction-level event for biomedical research and global public health."

The Bethesda Declaration has garnered support from outside the NIH as well. Over 40 scientists, including 21 Nobel laureates, initially signed a separate letter in support, followed by more than 500 additional signatories after the declaration was made public.

This external support underscores the significance of the issues raised and the potential impact on the broader scientific community. The supporting letter urges NIH and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) leadership to "work with NIH staff to return the NIH to its mission and to abandon the strategy of using NIH as a tool for achieving political goals unrelated to that mission."

Jeremy Berg, a former NIH researcher, lauded the scientists behind the Bethesda Declaration for their bravery and for addressing "a lot of important points." He emphasized the potentially devastating consequences for the United States' research capabilities, economy, and global competitiveness.

The Bethesda Declaration serves as a powerful reminder of the crucial role that independent, unbiased scientific research plays in advancing public health and improving lives. The courage of these scientists to speak out in the face of potential repercussions highlights the urgent need for open dialogue and a renewed commitment to safeguarding the integrity of biomedical research.

Tags: NIH, biomedical research, Bethesda Declaration, Jay Bhattacharya, Trump administration, academic freedom, research politics, COVID-19, NIH director, scientists

Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/06/09/nx-s1-5425466/nih-research-freedom-bethesda-declaration