Sequester Impact on Biomedical Research

Today, U.S. biomedical research is caught in a painful paradox—scientific progress is moving faster than ever. However, due to arbitrary across-the-board spending cuts, U.S. scientific innovation faces its greatest threat ever. Reduced federal support for biomedical research poses serious risks to our health and economy, but most Americans will not immediately feel those impacts. Who will tell them how sequestration’s slowdown of science imperils our nation’s future? Scientists must sound the alarm. We can start by highlighting how our country is cutting research at a time when many are doing the opposite. Between 2011 and 2012, China and India increased spending (in constant dollars) by 20%, South Korea and Brazil by 10%, and Germany by 9%. In contrast, the United States went down 5%. It seems other nations looked at U.S. economic success over the last 60 years and saw that our growth came from science and technology, with biotech now leading the way. Sadly, Americans seem to have forgotten our own story. What may prove to be sequestration’s most devastating impact is the potential loss of an entire generation of U.S. biomedical innovation. When young scientists survey the funding landscape, they may question whether they have a future here. Many may switch careers or move to another country with stronger scientific support. NIH is doing everything it can to avert this dire scenario, and we ask you to join us. Our true power lies in the voices of scientists all across this great nation.