Anthony Fauci

The public health expert and former federal health official talks about the politicization of science

Anthony Fauci is an American physician-scientist who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1984 to 2022 and served as a key public health adviser during multiple disease outbreaks, including HIV/AIDS, Ebola and COVID.

How would you describe the current state of American science?

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The current state of American science is generally quite good. But the recent politicization of science by current leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health, as well as their attempts (unsuccessful so far) to significantly reduce the allocation of resources to the NIH pose a serious threat to our standing as the leading country in the area of biomedical research.

Even stronger pushback is needed against attempts to downgrade the government-sponsored biomedical research efforts, including what appears to be a weakening of peer review in favor of decision-making by political appointees.

I am buoyed by the brilliance and energy of our younger generation in the field of science in general and biomedical research specifically. In addition, the opportunities for major transforming advances in biomedical research are greater today than they have ever been because of technologies such as mRNA platforms, artificial-intelligence-accelerated discovery, systems immunology, engineered antibodies and immune modulators, and CRISPR and other next-generation diagnostics.

My advice to early career scientists is to follow your passion and not be discouraged by the current stress on the system. The opportunities and sources of gratification and accomplishment that await you will be very fulfilling and rewarding. And along the way, do not forget to have some fun!