Today, President Trump’s administration rescinded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) policy designed to maintain the use of science in decision making and protect scientific research from political interference. This attack, one of countless the administration has carried out since it took power in January, sets a dangerous precedent that could undermine public health and medical advancements.
“Removing this policy is a deliberate weakening of the structures that protect public health, the scientific process and the American peoples’ access to truth,” said Dr. Jennifer Jones, director of the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Scientific integrity policies are a critical safeguard against political, financial and corporate interference in research. Through an extensive process, including robust public comment, NIH’s policy was tailored to the agency’s unique mission to enhance health, lengthen life and reduce illnesses and disabilities experienced by people living in the United States. The policy allowed the agency to ensure that research into life-saving treatments for diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, as well as research into problems such as maternal mortality that disproportionately affect Black and Indigenous people, remains free from political suppression and censorship.
Although a broader Department of Health and Human Services policy exists, it does not provide the same tailored protections, such as a process for NIH experts to advise employees on their scientific integrity questions. “Scientists need to be able to report concerns to those who understand their work,” said Dr. Jones. “Someone working within NIH, not HHS, is best set up to do that.”
The rollback of the policy is not happening in a vacuum. It is part of a greater effort to weaken independent science, make way for junk science, and cater to industry leaders.
“Each scientific integrity policy is a brick that builds a wall protecting against political interference,” said Dr. Jones. “Removing even just one brick weakens the wall. The time to stand up against these attacks is now. Protecting science means protecting facts, protecting scientists’ rights to communicate about their findings, and ultimately protecting people. When we weaken scientific integrity, we weaken our ability to hold political leaders accountable for their actions and to ensure that their actions truly align with the best interests of the American people.”