Many moons ago, I worked in a forensics lab for a pair of professors who were husband and wife—a chemistry dynamic duo. I had a wonderful time in bench research, learning about different explosives and even doing site visits in Los Alamos, where many of the greatest scientific minds came together to help the U.S. win the war against the Axis powers during World War II. It was a surreal experience, but it was a lasting moment for me because I finally understood that research had a purpose and could really impact society in such an altering and significant manner through sheer determination, genius, hard work, and dedication. The creation of the nuclear weapon was a turning point, made possible once the ability to split the atom was harnessed. The driving force behind the work was a rallying cry for humanity—desperate to end conflict and suffering before all of mankind wiped each other out. The dropping of two nuclear bombs marked the culmination of extensive studying, trial and error, and countless failures until the result was found, replenished, and replicated. The funding provided to scientists like Einstein and Oppenheimer, among others, was given in good faith, hoping that meaningful discoveries would be made. Research had a clearer path of focus, and while the consequences of these discoveries were unclear, the outcome gave rise to an entirely new industry of discovery and engineering, leading to a modern way of life.
Afterward, my interest in the pursuit of translational research grew. I had the opportunity to explore further at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during my time as a medical student on two separate occasions. It was a very enlightening and invigorating environment but also very stressful. The academic purity was the focus, and I witnessed some of the most intellectual conversations I had ever experienced, along with the joy of learning, reading, and applying new concepts. I was in sheer awe of the brilliance of being surrounded by so many incredible minds. However, the darker side of this environment was also present. One of my principal investigators demanded that everyone work every day, including weekends, because true scientists never took days off. The reality, however, was that he was afraid of losing his lab and the funding for it. Getting published was another major source of pressure, and it placed tremendous strain on students and staff to ensure that experiments went smoothly. Staff meetings often became sources of anxiety and occasionally led to berating and humiliation—again, all in the name of science.
Despite being at the forefront of scientific and medical research, the NIH and its government funding have seen a decline in public sentiment. The push for defunding has become a central focus for our country’s leadership, as they aim to reduce government spending by eliminating wasteful expenditures. Herein lies the rub: How much of the research being performed is truly impactful? By objective measures, very little research is making a tangible impact on humanity. Most papers and discoveries will not lead to groundbreaking changes in science or medicine. In fact, some of the most brilliant discoveries, such as those by Isaac Newton and Alexander Fleming, were happy accidents discovered by astute individuals able to recognize patterns. Modern science and medicine have become an industry in itself, often leading to redundancy. Still, it remains something that distinguishes the U.S. from many other countries in its ability to devise new treatments that are potentially curative and cutting-edge. If we start to lose this edge by reducing funding and resources, we may see the effects down the road, with other countries emerging as leaders in scientific discovery and patient care, potentially impacting global health care.
The public opinion of the NIH has also shifted in recent years, particularly during the pandemic. The controversy over the coronavirus vaccine and the NIH’s role in its development has led to a growing distrust among the public. While some jurisdictions have taken steps to halt the defunding of the NIH and its programs, a larger effort is needed to rehabilitate the image of the NIH, to better explain its origins, its purpose, and its vital role in advancing health and science.
The NIH was founded in 1887 as a small laboratory within the U.S. Public Health Service and has since evolved into the nation’s leading medical research agency. Its mission is to improve public health by conducting and supporting medical research, with a focus on understanding human health and diseases. Over the years, the NIH has grown into a network of 27 institutes and centers, supporting a broad range of research that spans from basic science to clinical trials. The NIH not only funds external research but also conducts its own groundbreaking studies, contributing to the development of treatments and cures for diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, as well as addressing emerging health threats such as infectious diseases and mental health disorders. Today, the NIH is an essential part of the nation’s health infrastructure, helping to advance medical knowledge and improve the health of the global population.
If efforts are not made to change the public’s perception of the NIH and its mission, the attempts to corral spending and focus on harnessing resources may ultimately be in vain. The future of innovation and scientific discovery may rest on our ability to reinvigorate public trust in the value of research and its far-reaching impact.
Dalia Saha is a nocturnist.
