The article contends that U.S. science is facing a brain drain driven by Trump-era funding cuts, tighter regulation, and stricter immigration policies, threatening progress in biomedical research and public health.

Officials from NIH and the administration push back, saying they are committed to restoring funding, recruiting talent, and rebuilding trust, while some staff report fear and whistleblower allegations of retaliation.

There are concerns about long-term consequences for innovation, drug development, and the economy as basic NIH-funded research underpins many pharmaceutical breakthroughs and future medical advances.

Both privately and publicly funded research budgets have been slashed, with NIH and NSF facing large-scale cancellations and thousands of employees and trainee programs disrupted or terminated.

Early-career scientists such as Ian Morgan and Emma Bay Dickinson face limited opportunities to start labs or pursue high-risk research, prompting departures to Europe, Asia, or Australia.

European universities are aggressively recruiting American researchers in response to the U.S. brain drain, increasing opportunities for international collaboration among scientists.

The U.S. immigration crackdown, including a $100,000 H-1B visa fee and suspension of immigrant visa processing for many countries, undermines the flow of foreign researchers who have historically contributed to American scientific leadership.