US President Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office has drastically changed the practice of science, according to experts. Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Tom Frieden warned that messing with vaccines and measles could lead to deadly consequences.
Frieden also expressed concerns about Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s plans to allow viruses like the one causing avian influenza to spread freely through flocks, despite being impractical and risky.
Meanwhile, disability advocates are on edge due to Trump’s administration targeting accessibility and curbing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The Department of Justice rescinded documents providing guidance on implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The World Health Organization reported severe disruptions in tuberculosis response in numerous countries, including parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, citing US withdrawal from global health as a major cause.
Investors are pouring money into research for GLP-1 drugs to treat diabetes and obesity, but obstacles like high costs and patient adherence remain. Gene therapy pioneer Jim Wilson acknowledged that researchers still need to answer questions about treatments’ long-term safety.
A recent cut in funding by the US DOGE Service has targeted layoffs at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which conducts research on chronic diseases and obesity.
In other news, the Department of Agriculture recently halted millions of dollars worth of deliveries to food banks, highlighting issues with US agricultural policy.
Source: https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/21/bill-nye-rfk-jr-who-tuberculosis-disability-rights-egg-prices-morning-rounds