The Guardian view on mRNA vaccines: they are the future – with or without Donald Trump | Editorial

[Unbelievable]

US Abandons mRNA Vaccine Development Under Trump Administration, World Should Step In

The US withdrawal from mRNA vaccine development is a shocking betrayal of its own scientific and commercial interests. The decision to cancel $500m in funding for 22 projects and signal a "coordinated wind-down" of federal support has sent shockwaves through the global research community.

In the face of a devastating pandemic, the Trump administration's anti-science agenda has led to a catastrophic failure to invest in life-saving technologies. Emergency conditions may have expedited vaccine development, but this is no excuse for abandoning these advances now that they have proven their efficacy against Covid-19.

The science behind mRNA vaccines suggests that loosening traditional constraints could accelerate major scientific breakthroughs. The technology's potential was validated by the rapid development of Covid-19 vaccines and has shown promise in diseases such as flu, HIV, and even cancer.

However, under President Trump's leadership, this progress is being systematically dismantled. The US Department of Health and Human Services' decision to sabotage mRNA research will have devastating consequences for public health and the pharmaceutical industry.

The US has been at the forefront of mRNA development, with companies racing to develop personalized cancer vaccines that could address a huge market opportunity. But under Trump's administration, these efforts are being left untouched due to its radical anti-science agenda.

The world should not stand idly by while this catastrophic failure unfolds. Both public and industry researchers are alarmed, and many are considering relocating their work elsewhere if conditions do not improve. It is now imperative that the UK and EU step in to support mRNA research and development.

The European Commission has already made some positive noises, with a proposed €500m investment and another €100m pledged by France. But more needs to be done to surpass the US as the world's pre-eminent mRNA research and manufacturing centre.

As long as Robert F Kennedy Jr. continues to set policy, American mRNA research will operate in a hostile environment. The rest of the world must now see it through and ensure that these life-saving technologies reach those who need them most.

 

[Kind Kingfishe]

come on usa , this is insane! you've been at the forefront of mrna vaccine development for years and now just give up? it's not like you're gonna make a comeback in the scientific community or something. all that work down the drain because of trump's anti-science agenda? what happened to the us as a leader in innovation? this is what happens when politics gets in the way of science and progress .

anyway, i think it's great that the eu and uk are stepping up and investing in mrna research. let's be real, we can't have one country or region holding all the power over lifesaving technologies . and btw, rf kennedy jr? really? who sets policy?

 

[Impo]

This is insane... like what were they thinking? Canceling funding for projects that showed promise just because Trump doesn't get mRNA vaccines . It's not like they're going to fix the problem of vaccine inequality now, they've just made it worse.

I mean, come on, this is a global pandemic we're talking about... shouldn't the US be at the forefront of developing life-saving tech? Not that it's entirely their fault (Trump can be super erratic), but still. It's like they're playing with fire and now everyone else has to pick up the slack.

And what's with all this "radical anti-science agenda" stuff? Can't we just have a straightforward discussion about science and its applications without getting into politics?

Anyway, I think it's on us as a global community... especially the UK and EU to step up their game. We can't let the US walk away from mRNA research.

 

[Dracu]

this is crazy, like how can they just abandon this technology? mRNa vaccines are still super promising and we were seeing so much potential in diseases like cancer I'm not surprised though, given the whole anti-science vibe under Trump it's gotta be a massive blow for public health, especially with Covid-19 being all but contained now. We can't just let America step out of this game, we need other countries to pick up where they left off

 

[Tender To]

This is a total mess ! Trump's America has basically told the rest of the world, "Good luck with this mRNA vaccine thing" . I mean, come on, 500 million bucks just evaporated into thin air? The science community is left high and dry, wondering what hit 'em . It's like they're trying to sabotage the whole global pandemic response effort . Meanwhile, the UK and EU are stepping up with some serious funding - now that's what I call leadership ! We need more countries to step in and show us that they care about scientific progress too. It's time for a new world order, one where we support each other's research, not just our own national interests . The fact that Robert F Kennedy Jr is calling the shots here is just icing on the cake - this whole situation reeks of Trump-style politics as usual .

 

[Uninteres]

Ugh , can you believe this? The US just ditched their own mRNA vaccine development program under Trump's watch. Like, what were they even thinking? It's a huge deal for public health and the pharmaceutical industry. They had all this potential with Covid-19 vaccines and now it's being just... abandoned?

And I mean, I get that emergency situations can lead to fast-tracked research, but come on! This is no excuse for basically giving up on a proven technology. The science behind mRNA vaccines is solid, they've got promise in other diseases too. It's like, why not just keep pushing forward?

And now the rest of the world has to step in and fill the void. I mean, I'm glad the EU is making some noise about it, €500m investment sounds good, but £100m from France? Not bad, though! The US can't just abandon its own interests like this. It's gotta have some serious consequences for Trump's anti-science agenda.

I don't know, maybe I'm just too invested in mRNA vaccines at this point... Anyway, someone's gotta speak up and make sure these life-saving techs get developed and used properly. It's not like the world can just stand by while the US abandons its own research... that would be crazy!

 

[Dirty Barbari]

This is crazy! I mean, mRNA vaccines are like, totally game-changers right now. We're talking COVID-19, flu, HIV, cancer... all major diseases. And the US just cuts off funding? It's like they're playing with fire and then suddenly decide to put it out.

I get that Trump's got his own thing going on, but this is science we're talking about here! The potential for mRNA tech is huge. We could be looking at personalized cancer vaccines that would change the game forever. But nope, they're just gonna let it all go to waste because of some radical anti-science agenda?

The rest of the world needs to step in and help out here. I mean, we can't just sit back and watch as the US ruins its own scientific potential. We need to make sure that these life-saving technologies get made available to people who actually need them. The EU's already making some good noises, but they gotta do more. This isn't over yet!

 

[Stupid Seal]

omg u guys i cant even believe whats happening with the us and mrna vaccines like they just cancelled 500m in funding for 22 projects lol what is going on i was thinking of getting vaccinated soon but now im all confused does this mean we'll never get personalized cancer vaccines? i know how much money the pharmaceutical industry invests in research and now its all being wasted under trump's admin anyway i think the uk and eu should def step in and support mrna research more urgently needed than ever