Drug researchers warn Trump’s travel ban will hurt anti-disease work

More than 100 leaders in the biotech community warned President Trump that his travel ban could deeply damage U.S. leadership in the development of new medicines. 

In a letter published in Nature Biotech, a top scientific journal, founders and leaders of biotechnology companies expressed “deep concern and opposition” to the travel ban, which bars citizens from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the United States.

“If this misguided policy is not reversed, America is at risk of losing its leadership position in one of its most important sectors, one that will shape the world in the twenty-first century,” the letter reads. 

“Indeed, it will harm an industry dominated by smaller companies and startups, the very kind of industry the administration has said it wants to support. It will slow the fight against the many diseases that afflict us, as well as carry negative economic consequences for the United States.”

{mosads}The letter notes that 52 percent of biomedical researchers in the U.S. are foreign-born. 

Researchers who are in the U.S. on visas or traveling are “fearful” and “uncertain” of their status, the letter reads. 

“Scientists based in other countries and employed by our companies are afraid to come to the United States or are canceling trips. The parents and families of immigrants who live and work in the United States are reluctant to attempt to travel to and from the US,” the letter says. 

“Though the ban from the Trump administration is aimed at seven countries, our global employees interpret the underlying message as, “America is no longer welcoming of any immigrants, whatsoever.” They fear similar orders could be issued for other countries at a moment’s notice. They fear being stigmatized and discriminated against, simply because of their religion, irrespective of the nation they come from.”

Other groups in the medical industry have also questioned the travel ban, noting that doctors and other medical professionals often come to the U.S. from other countries. 

“We recognize the importance of national security, but current entry and renewal pathways for foreign nationals — including student, temporary visitor, extraordinary ability and employment visas — provide a balanced approach that attracts the best and brightest from around the world and advances U.S. interests through educational and cultural exchange,” reads a letter signed by dozens of medical groups, including the American Public Health Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges. 

“Impeding these pathways jeopardizes critical access to health care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations.” 

A federal judge last week issued a temporary stop to the travel ban while it is challenged in court. 

A federal appeals court on Sunday denied the Trump administration’s request to immediately reinstate the ban.