OPINION so much public use.”
Dr. Letai noted also that he thanks Congress for rejecting the President’ s 2026 budget proposal, instead giving the NCI a raise to the tune of $ 128 million. Research grants for new and competing projects are close to the 2024 total of 1,325 and will probably exceed it, he pointed out. However, some researchers have worried that new guidelines favor certain geographic areas over others. Newly required screening for“ politically sensitive terms” has resulted in delays of a couple weeks and has caused“ fixing” of some grants but not outright rejections( the“ fixing” part was left undefined). Dr. Letai noted that the work of the NCI does not tend to be politically controversial: it serves all Americans. He clearly notes that his directive is to“ Fund the best science and cure cancer.” I am comforted that Dr. Letai has taken the reins in hand and is pursuing scientific truth as best he can, given the political pressures he must navigate.
Cheating is despicable, as any kid in grade school knows: cheating off first base is allowed, but that’ s it. Cheating is theft; it is a betrayal
of trust; it is cowardly and lazy and ultimately, harms the cheater as much as the cheated. I can imagine the humiliation and panic of the cheater whose crib sheet is discovered – and he has still to take the test.
I well remember the explosions of anger if one of us suspected some kid of cheating at any game. It simply wasn’ t done at home; one’ s honor was at stake.
I am reminded of Special Counsel Joseph Welch’ s 1954 rebuke of Senator Joseph McCarthy, who was leading televised hearings that amounted to a witch-hunt for“ Communist influences” in our armed services. Mr. Welch famously said,“ Have you no decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?!”
If ever you enroll in a scientific study, don’ t mess around. Tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God. Science depends on you.
Dr. Barry is an internist and Associate Professor of Medicine( Gratis Faculty) at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, currently retired and mulling her next moves.
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