Nearly five years ago, Jay Bhattacharya, a prominent Stanford professor, gained significant attention for his role in drafting the Great Barrington Declaration. This open letter advocated for less stringent public health measures in response to the Covid pandemic, opposing vaccine mandates and school closures. Bhattacharya's stance propelled him into the spotlight as a vocal critic of pandemic policies and eventually led him to become a key adviser to conservative lawmakers.
Recently, a significant shift has occurred at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Several hundred employees from the agency have come together to pen their own letter, termed the Bethesda Declaration, named after the NIH's headquarters in Maryland. This declaration expresses serious concerns about various actions taken during President Trump's second term, including the cancellation of crucial research on health disparities, climate change, and LGBTQ+ issues. The declaration also addresses proposed cuts to funding for research indirect costs and the termination of essential NIH personnel.
Jenna Norton, a program officer at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, who signed the Bethesda Declaration, stated, “We modeled this after the Great Barrington Declaration because we want Jay Bhattacharya to see himself in this letter. He’s called for academic freedom and a culture of dissent. If he’s the person that he claims to be, I think he has to listen to us.” Norton and other signers aim to open a dialogue with the new administration to formulate health policies that prioritize the well-being of both research participants and the public.
The Bethesda Declaration has garnered support from a diverse group of NIH employees, with a total of 336 signatures. Out of these, 93 individuals openly identified themselves, while another 243 chose to sign anonymously. The letter was made available for those employed by the NIH as of January 20, with 258 current employees participating. The authors assert, “We dissent to Administration policies that undermine the NIH mission, waste our public resources, and harm the health of Americans and people across the globe.”
Alongside the Bethesda Declaration, a letter of support from prominent figures in the scientific community has emerged, organized by the advocacy group Stand Up for Science. This supportive letter includes endorsements from 19 Nobel laureates, former NIH institute directors, and other distinguished scientists, emphasizing the importance of maintaining NIH's integrity and mission.
In response to the Bethesda Declaration, Bhattacharya acknowledged its criticisms but noted that it contains misconceptions about the NIH's policy directions. He emphasized the importance of respectful dissent in the scientific community, stating, “We all want the NIH to succeed.” However, many NIH employees feel that recent changes have dramatically shifted the agency's research priorities, creating a climate of uncertainty and fear.
Under the Trump administration, the NIH has faced significant alterations, which have left many employees feeling unsettled. Changes have included a shift away from research topics deemed "taboo" and the use of research funding as a lever to influence private universities. The swift pace of these changes has been alarming for many within the agency, leading to heightened anxiety among staff.
Anna Culbertson, a former program specialist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, shared her distress regarding the swift changes, recounting how she feared for her job shortly after the new administration took over. She described the stress of managing grant terminations and research pauses while trying to decipher the implications of newly issued executive orders.
While Bhattacharya and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have downplayed the severity of the NIH's changes, Norton and her colleagues feel a stark contrast between leadership's public statements and the reality on the ground. Norton expressed concern over the disconnect, stating, “It’s not aligned with what I am seeing on the ground as a program officer.”
The Bethesda Declaration arose from a collective frustration among NIH employees who sought to support one another through uncertain times. As discussions among staff intensified, concerns about leadership in the agency surfaced, particularly regarding the resignations of some key figures who were effectively forced to leave their positions.
Despite their courage in speaking out, many signers of the Bethesda Declaration remain anxious about potential repercussions. Norton articulated her fears regarding job security and the possibility of online harassment, stating, “I’m terrified… but you can’t be brave if you’re not scared.”
As the NIH navigates this tumultuous period, the Bethesda Declaration stands as a testament to the agency's employees' commitment to advocating for research integrity, public health, and a transparent dialogue with leadership.
