Message from Yasmine Belkaid: Why and how we can support science under attack in the United States

“Dear all,

At a time when science, research and public health are under unprecedented attack across the Atlantic, many of us are feeling a sense of awe and deep concern.

Every day for several weeks now, like many of you, I have been receiving testimonials from American researchers who are totally distraught at the censorship, job cuts and stigmatization affecting scientists at research institutes and universities in the United States.

These decisions already have massive consequences for international research and global health. They could also have a direct impact on the research work undertaken at the Institute, given that our scientific challenges are at the heart of the themes targeted by the Trump administration: infectious diseases, vaccinology, genetic diversity, women's health, and so on. At the Institut Pasteur, we have 10 ongoing research projects in this field, in collaboration with the NIH, for almost 11 millions euros, some of which are soon to be renewed. In addition, some of you are concerned about the future of your research into HIV or epidemic modeling. We are monitoring the situation closely, as there is uncertainty as to the continuity and/or renewal of these projects.

In the face of these attacks, their implications for science worldwide and the risks of direct impact on our activities, we can and must act, as scientists and citizens, true to Pasteurian values.

First and foremost, we have shown solidarity. Echoing the Stand Up for Science day initiated in the United States, fifty scientists and academics called for mobilization actions in every university town in France on March 7. The very strong mobilization of the Pasteur community, initiated by young scientists, was a wonderful show of solidarity from our campus. Like many of you, and alongside the Chairman of the Board of Governors, I have decided to join in this mobilization to bear witness to Institut Pasteur's commitment to defending free and enlightened knowledge, in the face of obscurantism and disinformation.

More broadly, Institut Pasteur has mobilized in recent weeks to urge France and Europe to step up their efforts to protect science. Alongside our partners such as Inserm, ANRS-MIE, Imagine, Curie and others, we have alerted public authorities to these attacks and their disastrous consequences for global public health. We encourage the government to fund ambitious attractiveness and mobility schemes to attract and welcome scientists based in the United States, particularly in the life sciences. I have also made a point of alerting the public and civil society to the situation by intervening in various media.

In the coming days and weeks, I shall be continuing this mobilization of public authorities, companies and the general public in France and Europe, to convince them to support those who, by defending science, are protecting our societies. I do this by reminding them of the unfailing commitment of the Institut Pasteur community to meeting the major challenges of global health and defending the place of science in our societies.

I stand by all of you, scientists, women and men committed to science in our beautiful institute, at this violent and troubled time, when our values and ideals are threatened, and Louis Pasteur's motto 'Science belongs to humanity' must be defended more than ever.”

Yasmine Belkaid
President of the Institut Pasteur