HIV group opposes shift in NIAID research funds

The HIV Medicine Association and the Infectious Diseases Society of America this week released a statement opposing a plan by the Bush administration to shift $145 million of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases's annual research budget toward the development of an anthrax vaccine. According to a proposal from the White House Office of Management and Budget, 25% of the redirected funds would come from AIDS research, resulting in a cut of more than $36 million from HIV/AIDS studies. The groups also oppose using funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, of which NIAID is a part, for the anthrax research; they say the money instead should come from the newly created Department of Homeland Security. "We are already hearing from scientists who are working on critical HIV research that their NIAID grants are being cut," said William G. Powderly, chair of the HIVMA board. "Funds for the anthrax vaccine should be secured from other resources. NIAID should be allowed to do what it does best--advance scientific knowledge through research."