Research for biodefense is trumping research for public health, much to the dismay of the science community. The National Institute of Health (NIH) drives medical research and funding. The vast, powerful organization is comprised of 27 Institutes and Centers, about 17,000 employees, and a $28 billion budget (fiscal 2004). Primary goals include:
- Our goal is to uncover new knowledge that will help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease and disability, from the common cold to the rarest genetic disorder" .
- "Our investment in understanding such diseases as AIDS, diabetes, heart disease and cancer returns dividends in longer, healthier, and safer lives" .
- "We continue to make major inroads in fighting humanity's most enduring illnesses...." .
And...with new found importance:
- "...We are working to confront new threats to our health and safety, like bioterrorism."
In a letter to Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., director of the NIH, published in the March 11th issue of Science, over 700 scientists(subscription) and institutions wrote to voice their concern about the repercussions of:
"[a} 2001-02 decision by the NIH National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to prioritize research of high biodefense, but low public-health significance."
"The number of grants awarded by NIAID that reference biodefense related microbes has increased by 1500% (from 33 in 1996-2000 to 497 in 2001 to January 2005...)." The increase in funding has largely favored research in tularemia, anthrax, plague, glanders, melioidosis, and brucellosis.
According to the authors, the new priorities compromise funding for bacteriology, mycology and virology research that is not biodefense related, and will have negative repercussions on public health.
