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https://www.livescience.com/health/medicine-drugs/these-decisions-were-completely-reckless-funding-cuts-to-mrna-vaccines-will-make-america-more-vulnerable-to-pandemics>
'Cells use mRNA to build proteins, and after years of research, scientists
learned how to harness this molecule to develop effective, safe and
quick-to-make vaccines. Since the advent of this Nobel Prize-winning
technology, a handful of mRNA vaccines have been approved in the United States
— namely, COVID-19 and RSV shots. Vaccines still in development could someday
protect against seasonal flu, bird flu, HIV and more.
But now, the U.S. federal government is slashing its investments in mRNA
vaccines — a move that will immediately impact 22 projects totaling nearly $500
million, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced
Tuesday (Aug. 5).
Some projects in late stages will be allowed to wrap up, but "no new mRNA-based
projects will be initiated," the statement said. The department will also cease
"all mRNA-based equity investments" coordinated through its partner Global
Health Investment Corp., a nonprofit that supports the development of public
health technologies through venture capital.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS secretary and founder of the anti-vaccine group
Children's Health Defense, claimed in the statement that mRNA vaccines "fail to
protect effectively against upper respiratory infections" and said that the HHS
will shift to funding "safer, broader vaccine platforms." These alternatives
are later defined as whole-virus vaccines and unspecified "novel" technologies.
Per the statement, this retreat from mRNA vaccines will not impact "other uses
of mRNA technology." But "I can tell you that the industry doesn't trust that,"
said Jeff Coller, the
Bloomberg distinguished professor of RNA biology and
therapeutics at Johns Hopkins University, who has studied mRNA for more than 30
years. "Even though the cancellation was specific to infectious disease, it
really was a shot across the bow to the entire industry."
mRNA is useful for more than combating infectious diseases. It could
potentially be applied as a cancer therapy, a vehicle to deliver gene-editing
treatments into the body, a way to rein in autoimmune diseases like multiple
sclerosis, or a treatment for the dangerous pregnancy disorder preeclampsia,
for example.
Live Science spoke with Coller about the recent funding cuts and their
anticipated impacts on the mRNA field and health of Americans.'
Via Kenny Chaffin.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
