Having been an Assistant Editor in Biological Sciences at Nature, Benjamin Lewin’s Deputy at Cell, and the first full-time Editor of Neuron, I am deeply saddened by the dismantling of the engine of American science and the strong anti-science sentiment (dominant negative) in the United States. I agree with you Elliot that more needs to be communicated to the general public if we are to reverse this march to destroy American Science. Keep your essays coming on this topic and any films you make to communicate the importance of science to the fabric of our society!
As a retired doc, recovering from health issues that could have been fatal if not for modern medicine, I have been wondering why would anyone cut scientific funding when any intelligent person realizes the benefits to everyone on the planet.
So, sadly, I think I get it. It's partly revenge, against the elite & the educated. This plays well to the anti-elitists in MAGA as well as Trump. It also seeds division amongst the opposition to MAGA as each group seeks to prioritize its own gripe, harm or injustice by Trump.
The opposition needs to unite around a gifted communicator. While I happen to think Pete Buttegegue would be ideal, someone along this line of communication excellence needs to be chosen soon.
Secretary Pete is the voice of calm reason for anyone who can listen - and not afraid to go on Fox to have real talk. I’d like to think we could see America bypass its homophobia with a campaign of HOPE the way we watched Obama elect the first Black president. America needs hope and reason more than ever.
Thank you Elliot for your eloquent and passionate defense of science. It is painful to contemplate the damage that this administration has already done to the scientific enterprise in the United States. In addition to abruptly halting research funding and putting many scientists’ careers in jeopardy, the administration has created a hostile environment for foreign students and faculty, who will choose to pursue their passion for science elsewhere.
You are so right - the regime (aptly named) values ignorance and people who are willing to let others make determinations for them. Then all of us will suffer.
None of it would have been possible without decades of FEDERAL support and financial investment by the NIH, FDA, and other FEDERAL governmental agencies.
However, all of this is now at risk or has already been shuttered by the anti-science CHUDs skinwalking as the heads of what now passes for government in this country. It's despicable!
Thank you Elliot. Last year we hosted here in our SF home a young ophthalmologist from Thailand who was studying/training at UCSF as part of his doctoral program. He returned here just last month for his final dissertation. His paper was on the work he has been doing to pinpoint causes of eye cancers and develop treatments specific to their eradication.
Sadly, the UCSF department he returned to for his final work was (is) in a state of shambles, disarray, fear, and uncertainty. Due to (Trump) budget cutbacks he had no assistant to help him compile, organize, and create graphics for his presentation.
My wife (a Thai born American) are ashamed for what this young, bright, DESERVING young scientist (and his colleagues also many foreign born) were forced to deal with.
Our young guest won his doctorate. That’s the good news. What his experiences studying here portent. That, I fear, is very bad news.
Once again, Elliot, you've written a Substack that addresses such important and critical matters in our country right now. The devaluing of science, the destruction of governmental agencies that provide essential information for the common good, the withdrawal of funds from research in the private and public sectors all will have a HUGE impact on the well-being of everyone here in the US and around the world. The amount of time it will take for the scientists who are being dismissed and / or whose agencies are being dismantled to establish themselves in other countries (and other countries are happy to take them in) will mean lost research time and advancements. The very attitude that we're seeing this administration express -- that science doesn't matter -- portends a rapidly increasing danger to our healthy and productive existence on Earth. If I sound too pessimistic, so be it. I still hope things will change in the very-near future. I'm a graduate of the Bronx H.S. of Science, and although I don't work as a scientist, I've always valued the role that science and scientific research plays in our world. We all need to demand the government's support and respect for science.
Elliot, I wish you would write us a letter every day but I know you are busy with other things. So many wonderful things launched in this country in the days and years after World War 2. It was the federal government and the universities and research labs working together to advance scientific research, education and exploration in so many disparate disciplines. The polio vaccine , the space program. the birth control pill, disease resistant crops etc made advances world wide and changed how we lived and thrived. I have no idea how we find ourselves today with scientific skeptics and flat earthers who have influence instead of ridicule. The world is upside down.
"It’s like a lighthouse that once guided vessels safely into port, now taken over by saboteurs who have reprogrammed its beam to wreck our ship of state against the rocky shoals of cruelty and ignorance." Thank you, Elliot, that beautiful quote from your post so completely describes the maladministration led by trump slime.
As a retired science teacher, and lifelong lover of scientific discovery, I really appreciate this column.
One of the worst results of trump slime's anti-scientific regime is the brain drain where our leading scientists and newly graduated scientists are heading for Europe and other places that are still open to scientific research. Most of them, will never return.
For most of us who studied science (I have a double major in biology and chemistry and a masters in physiology), it wasn't a get rich quick scheme - even Einstein had only a net worth of around $65,000 at the time of his death. It is the discovery of new things that excites us. Even at 92 I still get very excited to learn of the new discoveries every day.
You are absolutely correct, we will regret this period, for however long America lasts.
Science is inherently a trial-and-error process—learning from previous attempts and refining knowledge over time. Along the way, there are both well-intentioned and questionable actors. Some, perhaps driven by ambition or media attention, reveal preliminary findings before the results have been properly verified. The rush to be first in the spotlight can backfire. If those early results are later disproven, that initial false claim is often what the public remembers. As a result, not only is the finding discredited, but the scientific process itself suffers, regardless of whether the source was a well-meaning scientist or not.
It is truly a shame that the Trump administration is afraid to have smart people finding ways to save lives and make Americans healthier and productive.
I guess it is because the authoritarian wants slaves who depend on the slave owner for their existence so they won’t strike out on their own.
The problem with that is the fact that Trump’s life was saved when he contracted the COVID-19 virus. The medical doctors who were testing the medicine that saved Trump had confidence that it would help Trump (the president) survive.
Of course, when Trump came to power in 2025, his team (DOGE) fired those doctors.
I assume that it is the way Trump deals with people. It’s not what you have done for him before, it’s what he believes your future will provide for him.
Having worked at NIH and talking to friends who still work there, the devastation is worse than being reported or that you can imagine.
I get the same sense from the people in science I'm talking to.
Having been an Assistant Editor in Biological Sciences at Nature, Benjamin Lewin’s Deputy at Cell, and the first full-time Editor of Neuron, I am deeply saddened by the dismantling of the engine of American science and the strong anti-science sentiment (dominant negative) in the United States. I agree with you Elliot that more needs to be communicated to the general public if we are to reverse this march to destroy American Science. Keep your essays coming on this topic and any films you make to communicate the importance of science to the fabric of our society!
As a retired doc, recovering from health issues that could have been fatal if not for modern medicine, I have been wondering why would anyone cut scientific funding when any intelligent person realizes the benefits to everyone on the planet.
So, sadly, I think I get it. It's partly revenge, against the elite & the educated. This plays well to the anti-elitists in MAGA as well as Trump. It also seeds division amongst the opposition to MAGA as each group seeks to prioritize its own gripe, harm or injustice by Trump.
The opposition needs to unite around a gifted communicator. While I happen to think Pete Buttegegue would be ideal, someone along this line of communication excellence needs to be chosen soon.
Secretary Pete is the voice of calm reason for anyone who can listen - and not afraid to go on Fox to have real talk. I’d like to think we could see America bypass its homophobia with a campaign of HOPE the way we watched Obama elect the first Black president. America needs hope and reason more than ever.
Thank you Elliot for your eloquent and passionate defense of science. It is painful to contemplate the damage that this administration has already done to the scientific enterprise in the United States. In addition to abruptly halting research funding and putting many scientists’ careers in jeopardy, the administration has created a hostile environment for foreign students and faculty, who will choose to pursue their passion for science elsewhere.
The regime is destroying science because it wants religion and ignorance to dominate people's lives.
You are so right - the regime (aptly named) values ignorance and people who are willing to let others make determinations for them. Then all of us will suffer.
Oh so very true!
Today's article in the NYT (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/health/gene-editing-personalized-rare-disorders.html?unlocked_article_code=1.HU8.G-kh.VsHepRSHgLQ_&smid=nytcore-android-share) about the newborn who has become the first person in the world to be treated with a personalized CRISPR gene editing treatment is an example of the best we are capable of. Women and men, in both academia AND in private industry, working tirelessly across the country, without hope of any immediate profit, using tools and technology in new ways to presumably save the life a single person.
None of it would have been possible without decades of FEDERAL support and financial investment by the NIH, FDA, and other FEDERAL governmental agencies.
However, all of this is now at risk or has already been shuttered by the anti-science CHUDs skinwalking as the heads of what now passes for government in this country. It's despicable!
Thank you Elliot. Last year we hosted here in our SF home a young ophthalmologist from Thailand who was studying/training at UCSF as part of his doctoral program. He returned here just last month for his final dissertation. His paper was on the work he has been doing to pinpoint causes of eye cancers and develop treatments specific to their eradication.
Sadly, the UCSF department he returned to for his final work was (is) in a state of shambles, disarray, fear, and uncertainty. Due to (Trump) budget cutbacks he had no assistant to help him compile, organize, and create graphics for his presentation.
My wife (a Thai born American) are ashamed for what this young, bright, DESERVING young scientist (and his colleagues also many foreign born) were forced to deal with.
Our young guest won his doctorate. That’s the good news. What his experiences studying here portent. That, I fear, is very bad news.
Don, Outerlands SF
Thank you for this elucidation. It was very helpful.
Once again, Elliot, you've written a Substack that addresses such important and critical matters in our country right now. The devaluing of science, the destruction of governmental agencies that provide essential information for the common good, the withdrawal of funds from research in the private and public sectors all will have a HUGE impact on the well-being of everyone here in the US and around the world. The amount of time it will take for the scientists who are being dismissed and / or whose agencies are being dismantled to establish themselves in other countries (and other countries are happy to take them in) will mean lost research time and advancements. The very attitude that we're seeing this administration express -- that science doesn't matter -- portends a rapidly increasing danger to our healthy and productive existence on Earth. If I sound too pessimistic, so be it. I still hope things will change in the very-near future. I'm a graduate of the Bronx H.S. of Science, and although I don't work as a scientist, I've always valued the role that science and scientific research plays in our world. We all need to demand the government's support and respect for science.
Elliot, I wish you would write us a letter every day but I know you are busy with other things. So many wonderful things launched in this country in the days and years after World War 2. It was the federal government and the universities and research labs working together to advance scientific research, education and exploration in so many disparate disciplines. The polio vaccine , the space program. the birth control pill, disease resistant crops etc made advances world wide and changed how we lived and thrived. I have no idea how we find ourselves today with scientific skeptics and flat earthers who have influence instead of ridicule. The world is upside down.
There will be a brain drain to Canada and other countries. Hopefully Canada will take full advantage. Sorry.
"It’s like a lighthouse that once guided vessels safely into port, now taken over by saboteurs who have reprogrammed its beam to wreck our ship of state against the rocky shoals of cruelty and ignorance." Thank you, Elliot, that beautiful quote from your post so completely describes the maladministration led by trump slime.
As a retired science teacher, and lifelong lover of scientific discovery, I really appreciate this column.
One of the worst results of trump slime's anti-scientific regime is the brain drain where our leading scientists and newly graduated scientists are heading for Europe and other places that are still open to scientific research. Most of them, will never return.
For most of us who studied science (I have a double major in biology and chemistry and a masters in physiology), it wasn't a get rich quick scheme - even Einstein had only a net worth of around $65,000 at the time of his death. It is the discovery of new things that excites us. Even at 92 I still get very excited to learn of the new discoveries every day.
You are absolutely correct, we will regret this period, for however long America lasts.
White Coats, Black Arts...
Science is inherently a trial-and-error process—learning from previous attempts and refining knowledge over time. Along the way, there are both well-intentioned and questionable actors. Some, perhaps driven by ambition or media attention, reveal preliminary findings before the results have been properly verified. The rush to be first in the spotlight can backfire. If those early results are later disproven, that initial false claim is often what the public remembers. As a result, not only is the finding discredited, but the scientific process itself suffers, regardless of whether the source was a well-meaning scientist or not.
It is truly a shame that the Trump administration is afraid to have smart people finding ways to save lives and make Americans healthier and productive.
I guess it is because the authoritarian wants slaves who depend on the slave owner for their existence so they won’t strike out on their own.
The problem with that is the fact that Trump’s life was saved when he contracted the COVID-19 virus. The medical doctors who were testing the medicine that saved Trump had confidence that it would help Trump (the president) survive.
Of course, when Trump came to power in 2025, his team (DOGE) fired those doctors.
I assume that it is the way Trump deals with people. It’s not what you have done for him before, it’s what he believes your future will provide for him.
A big thank you Elliot for your determination and goals👍😊
WOW! Great read and great information!