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Scientists Rally Against 'Anti-Science Trump,' Eyeing US Midterm Elections

From Hankyoreh · (1d ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Scientists are increasingly entering politics in the US, with a threefold increase in potential candidates applying to '314 Action,' a group supporting Democratic scientists.
  • This surge is a direct response to the Trump administration's perceived anti-science policies, including funding cuts and redefinition of research goals.
  • The movement aims to counter policies on climate change, public health, and research integrity, reflecting a growing concern among scientists about the impact of politics on their field.

The United States is witnessing an unprecedented wave of scientists stepping into the political arena, driven by a profound dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's approach to science. Groups like '314 Action' report a threefold increase in applications from scientists seeking to run for office in the upcoming midterm elections. This is not merely a shift in career paths; it's a political awakening spurred by what many in the scientific community view as a direct assault on evidence-based policy and research funding.

For years, the scientific community largely remained detached from the political fray, adhering to a perceived separation of science and politics. However, the Trump era, marked by significant budget cuts to institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the redefinition of research priorities away from areas like climate change and public health, has forced a reckoning. The article highlights how over 7,800 research grants were halted or frozen, and tens of thousands of scientists and staff lost their jobs due to budget restructuring and layoffs.

We scientists are accustomed to focusing only on our own fields, but we have started to feel the need to protect science.

— Sam WangSam Wang, a neuroscience professor at Princeton University and a Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives in New Jersey's 12th congressional district, explains the motivation behind scientists entering politics.

This movement represents a critical juncture where scientific expertise is directly confronting political ideology. Scientists like neuroscientist Sam Wang and public health expert Nirav Shah are stepping forward, not just as experts in their fields, but as advocates for the integrity of science itself. Their candidacies underscore a belief that objective, fact-based decision-making is essential for the nation's well-being, a stark contrast to what they perceive as politically motivated policies. This influx of scientific minds into politics is a testament to their commitment to safeguarding research and ensuring that policy is guided by evidence, not by partisan agendas. It's a powerful statement that the scientific community will no longer stand by while their work and its societal benefits are undermined.

People who truly value truth must sit in these seats (politics).

— Jasmine ClarkJasmine Clark, a microbiologist and assistant professor at Emory University who is already serving as a state legislator, discusses her decision to run for the federal House of Representatives.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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