The Government Shutdown: From Furloughs to Fruit Flies
It’s been nearly two weeks since the federal shutdown began and its effect on the scientific community can be felt all the way to Antarctica. As congressional leaders attempt to patch together a last-minute deal to fund the federal government and raise the nation’s debt limit, scientists dependent on federal funds are looking on with concern.
Their concern is legitimate. Concern for years of research data being lost due to lack of money in the form of federal grants. Concern for the animals used in studies and their welfare. Concern that their job will still be waiting for them by the time the shutdown ends. Concern for a paycheck to pay their bills and keep going.
You see, there is a massive trickle down effect happening here that will only become compounded as time wears on. And as a result, we are likely to pay a very high price in loss of scientific data, loss of American healthcare treatments, and a loss of gaining new knowledge as employees are told to stay at home.
Let’s take a look at some of the areas the shutdown has caused a toll and explore those trickle down effects.
Shutting down large federal agencies - EPA, FDA, and CDC
The Environmental Protection Agency exists to safeguard our health and the environment. But with approximately 90% of its workforce furloughed, that means a very severe shortage of people monitoring the nation’s water and air quality, cleaning up hazardous waste, reviewing the safety of chemicals, and setting emissions standards.
The Food and Drug Administration is in charge of regulating food safety and pharmaceuticals. Without this workforce available, regulations are compromised. With about 45% of FDA employees on furlough, who will be available to properly assess the safety of prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs? Dietary supplements? Veterinary products for our pets, livestock, conservation efforts, and research animals? Our vaccines and medical devices? The agency said in a statement that “The FDA will also have to cease safety activities such as routine establishment inspections, some compliance and enforcement activities, monitoring of imports, notification programs (e.g., food contact substances, infant formula), and the majority of the laboratory research necessary to inform public health decision-making.” (http://www.hhs.gov/budget/fy2014/fy2014contingency_staffing_plan-rev2.pdf)
The Centers for Disease Control has already seen it’s first hurdle while the large majority of its staff members are currently furloughed. A wide-spread, foodbourne salmonella outbreak occurred on Oct. 6th. More troubling, this outbreak seems to be a combination of 7 different strains of salmonella, and some of these strains are drug resistant. Meanwhile, who’s tracking and monitoring any other disease outbreaks?
Shutdown effects on scientific research.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) conducts a wide variety of research and many depend on this agency for assistance in the form of treatments and therapies or for finding cures and having a better understanding of the human body. Clinical trials that are currently underway will continue to receive treatment, but unless a very specific criteria of emergency illness is met, there will be no new patients received for clinical trial treatments. This is due to approximately 75% of NIH staff on furlough. This is particularly devastating as not only does this affect adults, but children as well.
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