If confirmed, Jay Bhattacharya Woud will lead The world's biggest supporter of biomedical research.
NIH provides almost funding $48 billion In scientific research, through grants of approximately 50,000 people, it has now become more than 300,000 researchers to over 300,000 researchers from 2,500 hospitals, universities and other institutions.
Some takeaways from the hearing:
1. Bhatacharya “confident” vaccines do not cause autism, but are open to more research on the issue
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) asked Batacharya if he believes there is a link between measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccines and autism. He mentioned the recent outbreak of measles incidents in Texas, which led to the death of one unvaccinated child.
Bhattacharya said he believes the NIH has “good data” on the MMR vaccine. I don't believe it There is a link between vaccines and autism.
But he added, he supports agency funds. More research We try to understand why autism cases are on the rise in the US and whether vaccines are linked to rising.
2. Supporting the restoration of the prohibition of discontinued fetal tissue use in NIH research
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) asked Bhatacharya whether he would support a recovery in policies enacted during Trump's first term that banned NIH funds from being used for purchases Discontinued fetal tissue For research.
Bhattacharya said he will follow the lead on the issue of Trump and the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and believes the NIH should ensure that the products of science are “ethically acceptable to everyone.”
Many in the scientific community are considering the use of fetal or cells derived from fetal tissue. Deathly Several vaccines have been developed for biomedical research with the help of cell lines created from fetal cells.
3. Avoid talking about NIH firing, Grant Freeze
The senator asked Bhatacharya if he supported the Trump administration's recent firing of NIH staff. Grant Freeze. He did not give direct answers and repeatedly said he was not involved in those decisions instead.
“I was not involved in these decisions. If confirmed as NIH Director, I am fully committed to ensuring that all NIH and all NIH advocates have all the resources needed to meet the NIH mission,” he said.
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