Trump administration cuts billions in medical research, experts warn of dire consequences

After making numerous cuts in federal agencies, US President Donald Trump’s administration is also cutting billions of dollars in medical research funding for universities, hospitals and other scientific institutions. The government has ordered a sharp reduction of grants these institutes get in associated costs to support such research. The news was confirmed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

In a statement on Saturday NIH said that it was reducing the amount of “indirect” medical research funding going to institutions, which will cut spending by $4bn a year. This marks a  15 per cent reduction in grants awarded to the institutions, marking a major reduction on what was previously allowed under the NIH grant system.

“The United States should have the best medical research in the world,” the NIH said in a statement on Friday. “It is accordingly vital to ensure that as many funds as possible go towards direct scientific research costs rather than administrative overhead," the statement further reads.

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Experts condemn the cuts

The move was hailed by Trump’s supporters calling it an attempt to slash wasteful government spending. The “department of government efficiency”, headed by billionaire Trump supporter Elon Musk, welcomed the funding cut, tweeting that it was an “amazing job” by the NIH.

However, researchers raised alarm over the cuts, insisting that it might have a long-term impact. “This is a surefire way to cripple lifesaving research and innovation,” said Matt Owens, president of the Council on Government Relations, which represents universities and academic medical centres.

“Reimbursement of facilities and administrative expenditures are part and parcel of the total costs of conducting world-class research. America’s competitors will relish this self-inflicted wound. We urge NIH leaders to rescind this dangerous policy before its harms are felt by Americans," he added.

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Meanwhile, Democrats also condemned the decision. “The impact of the funding cut will be nothing short of catastrophic for so much of the lifesaving research patients and families are counting on”, said Patty Murray, a Democratic senator.

“Sick kids may not get the treatment they need. Clinical trials may be shut down abruptly with dangerous consequences. Just because Elon Musk doesn’t understand indirect costs doesn’t mean Americans should have to pay the price with their lives,” he added.