US Abandons mRNA Vaccine Development Amid Trump Administration's Anti-Science Stance
The sudden reversal of US support for mRNA vaccine research, sparked by the second Trump administration's anti-science agenda, has sent shockwaves through the scientific community. The decision to cancel $500 million in funding for 22 projects and announce a "coordinated wind-down" of federal support is a devastating blow to the development of safe and effective novel therapies.
The mRNA technology, which uses synthetic genetic code to train the immune system against viruses, has been hailed as a game-changer in the fight against diseases such as COVID-19, flu, HIV, and cancer. The US government's investment in this field was a significant factor in its rapid development and success.
However, under the current administration, the momentum is being halted. Robert F Kennedy Jr., the US health secretary, has been instrumental in undermining mRNA research, sabotaging federal funding, and promoting anti-vaccine misinformation. This stance not only undermines public confidence but also cripples the system meant to keep people safe.
The consequences of this decision will be far-reaching. The pharmaceutical industry is eager to develop and profit from mRNA technology, but an unstable US market makes it significantly more difficult. Companies are now racing to establish partnerships with international partners, including the UK and EU, which may become the new hub for mRNA research and production.
In a remarkable display of opportunism, the EU has stepped in, offering €500 million in funding and pledging another €100m from France. The European Commission's Biotech Act is now likely to surpass US efforts as the world's pre-eminent centre for mRNA research and manufacturing.
The UK also plays a crucial role in this global effort. With its established vaccine research power, partnerships with industry, and manufacturing ambitions focused on vaccine self-sufficiency, it has the know-how to build upon existing capabilities. As long as Mr Kennedy continues to set policy, American mRNA research will be operating in a hostile environment.
The rest of the world must now see mRNA technology through to its full potential. The US underwrote much of the early success of these vaccines but was always part of a global project. It is time for international cooperation and collaboration to fill the void left by America's abandonment of this critical research area.
The sudden reversal of US support for mRNA vaccine research, sparked by the second Trump administration's anti-science agenda, has sent shockwaves through the scientific community. The decision to cancel $500 million in funding for 22 projects and announce a "coordinated wind-down" of federal support is a devastating blow to the development of safe and effective novel therapies.
The mRNA technology, which uses synthetic genetic code to train the immune system against viruses, has been hailed as a game-changer in the fight against diseases such as COVID-19, flu, HIV, and cancer. The US government's investment in this field was a significant factor in its rapid development and success.
However, under the current administration, the momentum is being halted. Robert F Kennedy Jr., the US health secretary, has been instrumental in undermining mRNA research, sabotaging federal funding, and promoting anti-vaccine misinformation. This stance not only undermines public confidence but also cripples the system meant to keep people safe.
The consequences of this decision will be far-reaching. The pharmaceutical industry is eager to develop and profit from mRNA technology, but an unstable US market makes it significantly more difficult. Companies are now racing to establish partnerships with international partners, including the UK and EU, which may become the new hub for mRNA research and production.
In a remarkable display of opportunism, the EU has stepped in, offering €500 million in funding and pledging another €100m from France. The European Commission's Biotech Act is now likely to surpass US efforts as the world's pre-eminent centre for mRNA research and manufacturing.
The UK also plays a crucial role in this global effort. With its established vaccine research power, partnerships with industry, and manufacturing ambitions focused on vaccine self-sufficiency, it has the know-how to build upon existing capabilities. As long as Mr Kennedy continues to set policy, American mRNA research will be operating in a hostile environment.
The rest of the world must now see mRNA technology through to its full potential. The US underwrote much of the early success of these vaccines but was always part of a global project. It is time for international cooperation and collaboration to fill the void left by America's abandonment of this critical research area.
... just imagine what could've been with that funding in place... now it's all like a domino effect - EU & UK stepping up their game 
& the US kinda losing its grip on innovation... I feel bad for the scientists who were working on this stuff, all that research and money down the drain 
. can't help but wonder what kind of 'science' agenda is going on behind closed doors... anyway, hope international collaborations can fill the gap 
This news is really worrying... I mean, mRNA vaccine research is like, super important for saving lives 
. And now, the US government is just, like, abandoning it? It's crazy! 
The pharmaceutical industry was all set to make a big deal out of this tech, but now they're having to go international instead 
. I mean, I get that the current admin has some issues with science and stuff, but this isn't exactly the way to solve problems 
. And what about all the research that's been done so far? It's like, we've got all these promising vaccines just sitting there, collecting dust 
. The EU and UK are definitely stepping up to fill the gap, but it's not going to be the same as having a strong American presence 
but now europe is stepin up and takin over 
i heard france is offerin €100m to help out and eu is doin even more with biotech act 
and let's be real robert f kennedy jr is just a total fake news agent 
his anti-vax agenda is just plain ridiculous 
anyway i think this is good for the rest of us cuz we get to see the tech through to its full potential 
. Now we've got to rely on EU and UK to pick up the slack... it's like they say, when one door closes, another opens 
. But let's be real, this is a huge blow to public health 
. I mean, what happens next? Are we gonna have to wait even longer for new vaccines and treatments? It's just not good timing 
...
The EU is taking over as the mRNA vaccine hub 
US scientists are like "I'm gonna go with the flow" 
meanwhile Robert F Kennedy Jr is still spreading vaccine misinformation 
