Statement by ASCO President Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, in Support of the Rally for Medical Research Hill Day
“With the unprecedented scientific opportunities now promising significant progress against cancer and other life-threatening diseases, it is a tragedy that we are even considering cuts to our nation's investment in biomedical research. Yet, such cuts are already happening because of the federal budget sequester superimposed on the past decade's stagnant funding for biomedical research.
“A new survey of cancer researchers by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) shows that the multiyear stagnation in federal cancer research funding, compounded by this year's automatic budget cuts required under sequestration, is having a profound negative impact on the U.S. cancer research enterprise which historically led the world and provided critical scientific innovation. A large majority, 75%, of survey respondents reported that the current federal funding situation is having a direct impact on their ability to conduct cancer research, in many cases triggering what they can only call ‘devastating’ changes.
“The survey findings also reveal the disturbing but unsurprising trend that many young investigators are choosing to leave the field due to the lack of funding. With more than 35% of survey participants reporting having to lay off skilled staff, many appear to be questioning the viability of a career in research—raising serious concerns about the ultimate impact of budget cuts on patient care and outcomes. Short-term assessments of the impact of these cuts will therefore dramatically underestimate the true long-term consequences. Only years from now will the current reduction in our investment have an impact on reduced scientific productivity and innovation.
“ASCO, a sponsoring organization of the Rally for Medical Research Hill Day organized by the American Association for Cancer Research, joins with a broad coalition of groups from the medical research advocacy community—scientists, physicians, other health-care professionals, and patients and families—in urging Congress to invest in the National Institutes of Health."
The content in this post has not been reviewed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO®) and does not necessarily reflect the ideas and opinions of ASCO®.
