Comment from Kenneth Poss
Kenneth PossOpposeAcademic
Summary: A university faculty member and principal investigator opposes the proposed regulation because it allows the federal government to terminate research grants for non-science-based reasons. They argue that such a policy would destabilize the research infrastructure, hinder the ability to recruit talent, and negatively impact long-term scientific discoveries.
I am a principal investigator and faculty members with 23 years of running an NIH-funded lab at major US universities. We study the fundamental mechanisms of tissue regeneration and how to apply these mechanisms in ideas for therapies. I write to oppose section 200.340 indicating that Research Grants can be terminated by the federal government at any time for non-science-based reasons like university affiliation or politics. Our projects take many years to develop and continue, and our discoveries require offering talented scientists stable employment and research project support. This type of policy would destabilize the US research infrastructure and would have very negative consequences on the ability of my lab and others to recruit talent and make discoveries. I request that 200.340 be withdrawn in its entirety.