AEGiS-WSJ: Apparent Mix-Up Has Prompted 'Scientific McCarthyism' Charges

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Apparent Mix-Up Has Prompted 'Scientific McCarthyism' Charges

Wall Street Journal - October 30, 2003
Mark Ingebretsen, Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Apparently it was all a misunderstanding; nevertheless, the story below shows how politics can clash with science -- and to the detriment of both. Things got off on the wrong foot when the National Institutes of Health placed over "150 researchers on notice in recent weeks that lawmakers were taking a skeptical look at their studies on AIDS, sexuality and high-risk behaviors," the Los Angeles Times reported.

The researchers' projects dealt with areas that are politically sensitive to conservatives, "such as teenagers' sexual activity, sex and drug use among truckers and sexually transmitted diseases among Mexican immigrants," the Associated Press wrote.

In fact, the list of scientists was originally compiled by the Washington, D.C.-based, Christian lobbying group, the Traditional Values Coalition, according to a Baltimore Sun article.

But regarding the mix-up, here's where the story gets complicated: Apparently, the NIH had requested a list of "questionable" grants from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, but they received the list of 157 scientists by mistake.

What should have been sent was "a different list of just 10 grants prepared by the Republican Study Committee, a group of House conservatives," according to the Sun.

As it turns out, some conservative House members had been challenging the 10 grants for months, as those projects also dealt with politically sensitive topics. The 10 grants, which were awarded by the NIH during a period of years, included "studies of emergency contraception, of Asian prostitutes in San Francisco and of women's response to pornography," the LA Times wrote.

But when word got out that more than 150 scientists were being contacted by the NIH, Rep. Henry D. Waxman (D., Calif.) charged that federal health authorities had resorted to "intimidation" and "Scientific McCarthyism" to dissuade scientists from researching areas that conservatives traditionally oppose, the LA Times article said.

An outspoken critic of the Bush Administration's policies with regard to science, Rep. Waxman this summer released a report claiming to have found "numerous instances where the Administration has manipulated the scientific process and distorted or suppressed scientific findings."

And on Monday, he sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson protesting the NIH calls to researchers, the Cybercast News Service reported.

But according to media accounts, some scientists contacted by the NIH said the calls were not intimidating, although the AP reported that at least one researcher described the incident as "a bad nightmare."

No doubt. What else can you expect when federal money and subjective values clash with scientific research? The LA Times called it correctly when it said the uproar at such a simple mistake aptly illustrates just how "tense" the dispute over politicized federally funded research has become.

AIDS Therapy for $140 a Year

An Indian manufacturer of generic drugs will begin selling three-pill-combination anti-AIDS drugs to the poor for as little as $140 per year, the BBC reported.

Dr. Yusuf K. Hamied, head of the Indian drug firm Cipla, said generic manufacturers such as his company have played an important role in the global AIDS battle.

"The fact that the MNCs [multinational corporations] have reduced prices [of their AIDS drugs] from $12,000 to three to four times the present prices of generic companies proves that their conscience has been pricked," he said in the article.

Overseas Outsourcing

In other news from India, Red Herring reported that the populous nation could become an important staging ground for clinical drug trials.

"Leveraging its unique combination of English speaking medical personnel, an experienced pharmaceutical industry, expertise in medical data processing, and a vast and motivated patient pool, India's small but fast growing clinical trials industry has the potential to significantly lower drug development costs," the article said.

INDUSTRY VITALS

In Britain, which has a national health-care system, people spent 32% more on home health-testing equipment in 2002 than in 1998, Reuters wrote. And many don't believe they should visit a doctor unless they're very ill, the article said.

Canadian health-care authorities warn that fast-growing "cross-border sales by Canadian pharmacies could cause drug shortages in Canada," according to the Globe and Mail.
031030
WJ031011

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .