Slate News What Next TBD | Trump's War on Scientific Research
Mar 21, 2025
Katherine J. Wu, a staff writer for The Atlantic specializing in science, delves into the alarming impact of federal grant terminations on biomedical research. She discusses how the Trump administration's cuts threaten vital research fields, including aging and vaccine development. The conversation highlights the emotional toll on researchers and the ethical dilemmas faced by NIH staff under political pressure. Wu emphasizes the long-term consequences for public health and the potential exodus of scientists due to compromised funding integrity.
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Jace Flatt's Grant Terminations
- Professor Jace Flatt lost multiple NIH grants, impacting his research on aging and dementia in LGBTQ+ populations.
- This has forced him to halt studies, fire staff, and face potential lab closure.
Sarah Nowak's Grant Termination
- Sarah Nowak, a vaccine researcher, had her NIH grant on childhood vaccine hesitancy in Brazil terminated.
- The NIH deemed her work's focus "problematic."
Unprecedented Grant Termination Process
- Grant terminations now happen without warning or appeal, unlike the past, where researchers had opportunities to address concerns.
- Researchers are told their work no longer aligns ideologically, forcing staff firings and study halts.