NIH cuts could hamper research

Dr. Ranjan Perera’s research is at a critical juncture.

In his laboratory at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in Lake Nona, his research team has been investigating whether certain biomarkers in urine can diagnose prostate cancer more accurately than the current PSA test.

He’s about to publish a paper on his findings. He’s also planning to apply for a grant from the National Institutes of Health to conduct more research. And he’s optimistic that one day in the near future, his simple urine test can save men from having to undergo unnecessary prostate biopsies.

But getting there — from the bench at his research lab to the doctors’ offices — is a long, unpredictable and expensive process. And for scientists like Perera who rely on federal funds to advance their research, the future is even more uncertain if President Donald J. Trump’s proposed budget, which includes an 18.3 percent cut to the NIH, passes.

It’s nearly a $6 billion cut and could lead to a major setback for scientific research in the United States, researchers say.

“I don’t know if there’s any other word to describe it other than it’ll be totally devastating,” said Dr. Kristiina Vuori, president of Sanford Burnham.

The cuts not only could eliminate the progress that’s been made in the past decade, but also discourage graduating college students from pursuing careers in biomedical research.