OHSU faces funding crisis as NIH shifts focus away from animal research

During a recent meeting of the Oregon House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans, significant concerns were raised regarding the practices and future of research at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The discussions highlighted troubling aspects of animal research methodologies and the financial sustainability of ongoing projects.

One of the primary issues addressed was the ethical implications of certain research practices at OHSU. A committee member expressed alarm over experiments involving infant monkeys, which included attempts to induce stress using a Mr. Potato Head doll, and studies that involved administering alcohol to rodents to observe effects on mating behaviors. The member pointed out that invasive fertility tests on primates continue despite previous studies on human volunteers yielding definitive results. This raises questions about the necessity and relevance of such research, especially as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has indicated that 95% of primate research may not be applicable to humans.

Adding to the concerns, a survey revealed that over half of OHSU workers do not trust the management, and the institution has a history of financial mismanagement, including a significant fine for overbilling the federal government in 2018. The committee member argued that if OHSU were a state agency, there would be calls for accountability and reform.

The meeting also addressed the financial challenges facing OHSU's research programs. Recent reports indicated that the university anticipates a staggering 75% reduction in research funding this year. In a stark comparison, OHSU secured only 11 grants in the first nine months of the current year, a dramatic drop from 130 grants during the same period last year. This decline is attributed to shifting priorities from the NIH and the FDA, which are moving away from animal testing requirements.

The committee member concluded that the current model of primate research is financially unsustainable and called for a reevaluation of OHSU's research strategies in light of these developments. The discussions underscored the need for transparency and accountability in research practices, as well as the importance of adapting to changing regulatory landscapes. As the committee continues to address these issues, the future of animal research at OHSU remains uncertain, prompting calls for a more ethical and financially viable approach.