Notre Dame and IU School of Medicine researchers "Stand up for Science" after Federal Funding cuts
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Indiana University School of Medicine hosted a rally in South Bend urging scientists, researchers and the community to “Stand Up for Science”.
Funding cuts have forced labs to scale back their work, delaying critical research and in some cases even laying off researchers.
Heidi Beidinger, a faculty member at the University of Notre Dame says this change has impacted institutions like Notre Dame and the Indiana University School of Medicine, eliminating projects focused on climate change, cancer and infectious disease.
“Cutting funding for science and for research that directly impacts everything that we do here at the University of Notre Dame, we are a world class institution for research. We discover things here that help people, and what this Trump administration is saying that we don't even need that research anymore. What kind of world is that where we're not trying to do new discovery, isn't that what America was founded on? “ said Beidinger
Local scientists say these funding cuts impact critical studies like Mosquito Borne Diseases like Malaria, which could pose a threat to the U.S. without proper prevention.
Max Scheel, a biological science researcher, warns that deep cuts to research agencies like the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation could disrupt everything from cancer research to agricultural innovation.
“I'm here today because an attack on science is an attack on knowledge, and it's our job as scientists. We are the last defense of knowledge, and so it's our job to put forth truth into the community and it's really important that we have the funding and support from the federal government, the state government and local government to perform our scientific research” said Scheel.
Caitlin Horgan is a grad student at the University of Notre Dame that's also feeling the pressure, she says federal cuts could slow down or even stop medical breakthroughs.
“God forbid you or your loved one is ever diagnosed with cancer or an illness or a horrible disease. And you pray to God and ask Him for something, for a cure, and you go to your doctor and you say, is there anything that we can do? We could have done something. This is the moment. We could have helped. I could have found a cure.” said Horgan
Organizers say the protest isn’t just for scientists but for anyone that benefits from science discoveries, today’s rally is a part of a campaign that has gained national and international attention.
Protestors say there is an immediate need for federal support to conduct scientific research and the message for lawmakers is clear “ Science Matters.”
As the “Stand Up for Science” movement gains momentum researchers hope their voices will lead to real policy changes that protect the future of science.