US Deregulation Efforts Undermined by Trump Administration's Anti-Science Agenda
The rapid development of mRNA vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic has been hailed as a major scientific breakthrough, with scientists like Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman winning the Nobel prize for their work. The technology uses synthetic genetic code to train the immune system to defend against viruses, and its versatility and speed have made it an attractive option for fighting other diseases such as flu, HIV, and even cancer.
However, the US Trump administration's rejection of mRNA vaccines is a significant setback, with the Department of Health and Human Services announcing a "coordinated wind-down" of federal funding for mRNA research. The decision to cancel $500m in funding for 22 projects will have devastating consequences, undermining public confidence and crippling the system meant to keep people safe.
The US's unpredictable regulatory environment has made it difficult for companies to invest in mRNA technology, with some firms now looking to develop personalised cancer vaccines that have escaped the Trump administration's notice. The pharmaceutical industry is keen to deliver and profit from mRNA technology, but an unstable US market makes this significantly more challenging.
In contrast, the UK and EU are stepping up to support mRNA research and development, with proposals for funding and investment in facilities. The European Commission has pledged €500m, while France has committed another €100m. With the forthcoming EU Biotech Act, Europe is well-positioned to surpass the US as the world's pre-eminent mRNA research and manufacturing centre.
As the global community comes together to support mRNA technology, it is clear that the US Trump administration's anti-science agenda has put its own interests ahead of public health. The world must now see this technology through, with the rest of the world playing a critical role in supporting research and development.
The rapid development of mRNA vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic has been hailed as a major scientific breakthrough, with scientists like Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman winning the Nobel prize for their work. The technology uses synthetic genetic code to train the immune system to defend against viruses, and its versatility and speed have made it an attractive option for fighting other diseases such as flu, HIV, and even cancer.
However, the US Trump administration's rejection of mRNA vaccines is a significant setback, with the Department of Health and Human Services announcing a "coordinated wind-down" of federal funding for mRNA research. The decision to cancel $500m in funding for 22 projects will have devastating consequences, undermining public confidence and crippling the system meant to keep people safe.
The US's unpredictable regulatory environment has made it difficult for companies to invest in mRNA technology, with some firms now looking to develop personalised cancer vaccines that have escaped the Trump administration's notice. The pharmaceutical industry is keen to deliver and profit from mRNA technology, but an unstable US market makes this significantly more challenging.
In contrast, the UK and EU are stepping up to support mRNA research and development, with proposals for funding and investment in facilities. The European Commission has pledged €500m, while France has committed another €100m. With the forthcoming EU Biotech Act, Europe is well-positioned to surpass the US as the world's pre-eminent mRNA research and manufacturing centre.
As the global community comes together to support mRNA technology, it is clear that the US Trump administration's anti-science agenda has put its own interests ahead of public health. The world must now see this technology through, with the rest of the world playing a critical role in supporting research and development.
This is a total mess! I mean, who are these folks at the Trump administration that think mRNA vaccines are a bad idea? 
I guess they're trying to stick it to Big Pharma or something, but let's be real, this is about people's lives! Cancer, HIV, flu...these diseases don't care if we're making a profit or not. We need science, not politics! 
And what's with the "coordinated wind-down" of funding? That's just code for "we're gonna screw up the system and let it fail". 
The UK and EU are actually getting their act together, that's what we should be learning from here. We need to invest in mRNA research, not sabotage it! 
mRNA vaccines are literally saving lives and the US is all like "nah, we're good". this is so messed up. no wonder they've got a reputation for being unpredictable 
. THE FACT THAT THEY'RE CUTTING FUNDING FOR RESEARCH IS JUST TERRIFYING, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT ALL THE GOOD THIS TECHNOLOGY COULD DO FOR PEOPLE WITH CANCER AND OTHER SERIOUS ILLNESSES 
. THE UK AND EU ARE STEPPING UP TO SUPPORT mRNA RESEARCH, BUT WE NEED US TO GET ON BOARD TOO!!!
this is so disappointing. The US should be leading the way on mRNA tech, not trying to shut it down. I mean, come on, $500m in funding just gets taken away? That's like, a small country's budget right there 
22 projects cancelled and it's gonna be a huge setback for public health. i mean, covid was already a mess but now we gotta deal with this too? the pharmaceutical industry is just gonna have to find ways to adapt i guess. but like, what about all those ppl who need these vaccines?! 
the eu and uk are stepping up tho, so at least there's hope for mRNA tech 
. Meanwhile, other countries like the UK and EU are stepping up to support mRNA research 
. We should be working together as a global community, not fighting over whose agenda is better 
like seriously whats going on w/ the US rn?? theyre literally undermining all the progress made w/ mRNA vaccines 
and now the government is just like "nope, we dont wanna invest in this" 
europe's about to take lead on mRNA tech and it makes sense since theyre not as clueless as us 
cant wait to see how this plays out 
. it's like they want the rest of the world to save the day instead. the UK & EU are stepping up, though - that's amazing! 
we need more countries supporting science like this ASAP 
. If Europe becomes the hub for this tech, what will happen to the US? Will it lose its edge in terms of innovation and progress? This is a major concern – we need to keep an eye on how things play out in the States, but right now, it looks like they're making some really questionable decisions 
. I mean, mRNA vaccines were literally game-changing during Covid-19, but now it feels like they're just being ignored 
. Those $500m in funding for 22 projects? Cancelled 
.
. At least they're supporting it 
.
. EU and uk seem to be doing a much better job in supporting mRNA research... guess that's what happens when you have a more forward-thinking government 
let's hope the US gets their act together soon! 
I wonder if we'll ever get to that point... 
can't believe the US is being so reckless with public health 
EU and UK are stepping up though, they know what's important 
need more scientists like katalin and drew on this ASAP 
$500m down the drain just because they don't like mRNA tech? That's not how you make decisions, folks! You gotta show some proof, some stats, something to back it up. Just "anti-science agenda" isn't gonna cut it. 
meanwhile, the EU is stepping up and we're seeing some real investment in mRNA research 