In a move that raised ethical questions and disrupted ongoing medical research, the Trump administration abruptly terminated more than 380 clinical trials earlier this year. This decision left over 74,000 participants without access to vital experimental treatments, monitoring, or follow-up care, according to a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The Harvard-led research provides a detailed analysis of how federal funding cuts directly affected clinical research efforts. Experts highlight that these cancellations not only caused significant waste but also compromised participant safety and trust in medical research. As Dr. Anupam Jena, a healthcare policy researcher, notes, such abrupt closures violate ethical standards and undermine public confidence in biomedical innovation.

In March, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the withdrawal of $1.8 billion in grants misaligned with the administration’s priorities. Using NIH databases and federal tracking tools, the Harvard team identified active trials as of late February that were abruptly halted by mid-August—disrupting both scientific progress and patient care.

This case underscores the importance of ethical funding practices and transparency in clinical research, especially during periods of political change. It raises critical questions about the long-term impacts of funding cuts on medical breakthroughs and patient well-being.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.