Is NIH de-funding scientists based on right-wing ideology?

(from www.politicsandscience.org)

A letter from Rep. Henry Waxman (ranking member of the House Committee on Governmental Reform) to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson seems to indicate that HHS has a list of 150 scientists that are being targeted for de-funding (that is, taking back funding already awarded during a grant process).

Why are these scientists being targeted? They research HIV/AIDS, human sexuality and risk-taking behavior! We're talking conraception, deviance, sexual education in other cultures and similar subjects. They are being targeted because their research doesn't jive with the Bush administration's ideology. For example, one scientists' research into HIV/AIDS in China is described as "China-Cohort Development: HIV among the Chinese `injecting drug users and their sex partners.'"

This is apalling. The normal grant-writing process and standard of review is being injected with extra-scientific criteria after the grants have already been awarded. Further, this isn't "fluff" research or research that isn't valuable. In fact, much of this research bears directly on whether or not this world will be sustainable and healthy or fleeting and diseased.

Posted by joebeone at Octubre 27, 2003 02:45 PM