The
State of Science at the National Institutes of Health
 |
| The
scientific mission of NIH is at
risk because of political interference,
including the targeting of scientists researching
HIV/AIDS, human sexuality, and risk-taking behaviors. |
|
The
National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the U.S. government's
premier medical research institution and the largest source of
public funding for medical research in the world. The 27 major
institutions and centers that constitute NIH have housed the
nation's first chemotherapy program, shared in the discovery
of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and led the effort to map
the human genome. Yet today the scientific mission of this vital
institution is at risk because of political interference with
science.
'Hit
List' Targets NIH-Funded Researchers
In an Oct. 27, 2003 letter to HHS, Rep. Waxman expressed outrage
at a list of more than 150 scientists funded by NIH who are
being targeted for their research on HIV/AIDS, human sexuality,
and risk-taking behaviors. NIH is now asking these scientists
to provide additional justification for their work.
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Oct. 27 Letter to HHS
| Oct.
28 Letter to HHS
-
Oct. 28 HHS Response
|
Nov. 13 Letter to HHS
- Scientific
Organization Statements
UPDATE
| Jan. 29, 2004
NIH
Director Responds to Targeting of Research
NIH Director Dr. Elias Zerhouni writes Congress to defend
the peer-review process and NIH's investment in research on
human sexuality. Rep. Waxman comments, "I am pleased
that Dr. Zerhouni is defending research that addresses major
public health problems facing the United States. I credit
both Dr. Zerhouni for his leadership and the scientific community
for its tremendous opposition to tampering with the peer review
process. I urge my colleagues in Congress and Secretary Thompson
to respect Dr. Zerhouni's decision and disavow irresponsible
attacks on science."
-
Letter from Dr. Zerhouni
Privatization
at NIH Threatens Scientific Progress
More than
4,500 jobs are on the chopping block because of a misguided
privatization plan that undermines science, security, and
morale at NIH. In a Oct. 20, 2003 letter to HHS Secretary
Thompson and OMB Director Bolten, members of Congress ask
that this plan be halted immediately. NIH leadership should
be given the opportunity to improve its efficiency in a way
that does not jeopardize its scientific mission.
-
The Letter
UPDATE
| Dec. 15, 2003
HHS
Pulls NIH Firefighters from
Privatization List
As members of Congress called attention to the threat posed
by the President's competitive sourcing initiative, HHS removed
NIH's highly specialized Fire Protection and Suppression Services
from the list of programs to be reviewed for possible privatization.
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HHS Notice
NIH
Official Decries Political Interference with Science
In an anonymous
essay released Oct. 20, 2003, a senior NIH scientist details
the political interference in the scientific process of the
institution. Under the watch of the Bush Administration, nominees
for scientific panels face political loyalty tests, scientific
manuscripts are reviewed by bureaucrats for findings embarrassing
to the Administration, and NIH employees face losing their
jobs as part of the President’s outsourcing initiative.
This senior scientist official reveals that staff morale at
NIH is rock-bottom and the institution needs help.
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The Essay
|
Scientific Committees