Opinion

The Case Against Divesting from Pharmaceuticals

Published 5 years ago5y ago • Bookmarks: 48

June 19, 2020

Westchester County and our neighbors are world-renowned as home to some of the brightest scientists anywhere. Innovative, science-first companies make their home here and any leader who wants to represent this area needs to understand what makes it special.

As scientists in the district, speaking on our own accord, we’re sad to see so many of the candidates for Congress attacking one of the largest employers they’re hoping to represent with their pledge to divest from all biopharmaceuticals. While taking on “drug companies” may seem like good politics, we need leaders who prioritize thoughtfulness and consideration over scoring easy points.

Not all health industry segments are morally equivalent. It’s one thing to attack insurance companies that want to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions. But candidates should support scientists who are developing cures and keeping the United States in the driver’s seat of a competitive global research race.

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The thousands of scientists who call NY-17 home are leading the world in developing new treatments for COVID-19, Ebola, cancers and rare diseases.

We need a leader in Congress who will listen to scientists and follow data. That’s why we’re supporting Adam Schleifer. Adam is a former consumer protection regulator for Governor Cuomo and former prosecutor who took illegal guns off the streets, fought polluters, and protected Medicare. He’s the kind of thoughtful, data-driven leader we need to meet generational challenges that we now face.

When you cast your vote to replace Nita Lowey, we hope you’ll agree that Washington needs science now more than ever, and join us in supporting Adam Schleifer.

Members of Scientists for Adam

Peter Belmar, Associate IT Operations Analyst

Boris Boutkov, Sr Genomic Data Engineer

David Glass, VP Research

Michael Lattari, Research & Development

Sarah Wolf, Research & Development

Employees of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown NY

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