The story of what the DOGE chain saw massacre at federal agencies is doing to the United States has many faces. One of them is Dr. Peter Toogood, who leads Michigan Drug Discovery at the University of Michigan.
Along with many others, he is keenly aware of how cuts at the National Institutes of Health could paralyze if not cripple research in cancer and other diseases being conducted at academic institutions across the country. Your readers’ lives may well depend on this story’s outcome.
I became acquainted with Dr. Toogood after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 that had metastasized to my bones, spine and liver. Because of Dr. Toogood’s work in cancer research (conducted when he worked in private industry), I am alive today. He is the recipient of the American Chemical Society Heroes of Chemistry Award for his discovery of Ibrance, which slows progression of metastatic breast cancer (nearly seven years for me!).
In 2020, Dr. Toogood returned to academia to conduct scientific research at the University of Michigan, one of the top-ranked public universities in the country. Michigan Drug Discovery research conducted in Dr. Toogood’s Lab at the University of Michigan, and the research of countless other scientists in academia across the United States, is threatened by cuts to National Institutes of Health funding that supports public university research into cancer and many other diseases.
Research in academia plays a critical role in the discovery of new treatments for diseases, producing innovative ideas that can lead to groundbreaking discoveries, new drug targets and improved therapies, while also training the next generation of research scientists. This work by its very nature entails an exploration of new scientific theories and ideas and requires long-term commitment and a willingness to push the boundaries of what scientists know. Research in academia provides the foundation for one of our nation’s most successful industries. The excellent work that pharmaceutical scientists conduct relies upon the foundation that is built by academic scientists conducting basic bioscience research, the majority of which is funded by the federal government, through the NIH.
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But now, in addition to the government taking a chain saw to NIH grant funding for disease prevention and cures, the Trump administration’s decision to cap indirect costs on NIH grants to 15%, would cut hundreds of millions of dollars annually from academic institutions that rely on these funds to pay for the infrastructure that supports their research. For example, NIH provides $800 million of the University of Michigan’s $2 billion in annual research funding through the award of highly competitive research grants. For that institution thats current indirect costs rate is 56%, a cut to 15% represents a $181 million hit on their budget. This is money that is used to maintain buildings, manage the disposal of hazardous waste and ensure financial compliance.
Further, among the casualties in this war on science are the students. Cutting government funding will mean fewer opportunities for graduate students interested in pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math who depend on grant support for their livelihood as well as the supplies they need to conduct their work. With grant funding mechanisms grinding to a halt and indirect costs being severely curtailed, fewer students will be able to conduct research. Fewer students will be available to help teach and mentor the next group of aspiring scientists. Important research will be slowed, if not halted, risking the next scientific discoveries necessary for the development of tomorrow’s new medicines and cures.
The significance of scientific research in academia cannot be overstated. Yet, the head of DOGE posed recently gleefully brandishing a chain saw to symbolize the pride he takes in cutting funding that will affect not only my longevity living with cancer, but the lives of countless others across the United States and abroad waiting for disease treatments and cures. Congress needs to pull the plug on DOGE chain saw power and restore the National Institutes of Health to its whole. Countless lives hang in the balance.
Currently residing in Millbrae, Nancy Kraus has called San Bruno and San Mateo County home for over 55 years as a wife (recently widowed), mother and public relations professional working for three local school districts and a social justice program based out of Millbrae, Sojourn to the Past. Nancy was also appointed by the San Bruno City Council as the inaugural president of the San Bruno Community Foundation, overseeing the $70 million restitution settlement from PG&E consequent to the 2010 gas pipeline explosion.
(8) comments
Interesting that two commenter used exactly the same phrase in their conclusions. I thank the author for adding another story to the volumes of disastrous, long-lasting impacts on our country by the current administration.
Thanks for your guest perspective, Ms. Kraus, highlighting cuts related to a researcher at the University of Michigan. I understand the fight to keep as much of this “free” money as possible but perhaps before this “free” money is given, taxpayers should get a look at the University of Michigan’s books and DOGE them. For instance, why are indirect costs at 56%? Does every department that takes 56% dedicate 56% of their resources to research operations? You say a reduction to 15% represents a $181 million hit but what of using some of the University of Michigan’s endowment (I believe among the top endowments in the US) to pay for this “loss”?
Perhaps an option is to give the federal government a percentage of the patent and proceeds for novel research which leads to a released product. BTW, didn’t the University of Michigan recently receive a letter to notify them they were under investigation for anti-Semitic discrimination and harassment? Seems to me that instead of continuing to provide any grants to the University of Michigan, the federal government should pull all grants, if they haven’t already. As Lou remarked, I’m sure Dr. Toogood will land on his feet elsewhere, if his services are truly useful and needed.
Farmers have a saying that "the way to clean out the full barn is to take out everything and then put back only what you need." He'll be back if his services are truly useful and needed.
Yes, Lou, as a person who was raised on a farm, we would be far better off if farmers ran our government. Could not be worse than the chaos we have now.
Rel - an interesting comment from you. While I admire farmers, don't forget that the Dept of Commerce was established to regulate their activities. Farmers never had a clue on what crops to sow and were either over- or underproducing, leading to disastrous financial cycles. The Dept of Agriculture eventually was able to provide such guidance to farmers to prevent these surplus and shortage cycles which are still in place today.
Dirk - an interesting comment from you. If Trump and DOGE have their way, the Dept. of Commerce and the Dept. of Agriculture will be dismantled along with all the other governmental agencies in the of cost cutting.
Rel - Great point, it was bound to happen. Yes, the government has run amuck for too long and wasted taxpayer money with ZERO accountability. So now the old farm boys from DOGE are taking over and the fat is being trimmed and the corruption is being exposed. One would think you could put your emotions aside and the temporary discomfort and applaud.
Applaud? IG's, the true watchdogs of government, were summarily fired, while incompetents were placed in charge of departments soon to be ripped apart. Applaud? Tariffs rendered on our friendly neighbors paid for by consumers, adding to the inflation which was promised to be lowered. Applaud? Ukraine, saving our soldiers from having to defend democracy, is being undercut by Putin loving Trump. Applaud? There is no day on this earth, in this time or prior, I would applaud Trump who has no plan, has no leadership (given to Musk), and has no moral or ethical compass. He is out for power, retribution, and self congratulations. He is evil and will never get my applause.
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