From Breakthroughs to Budget Cuts: The Rollercoaster of Modern Medical Research

What happens when politics wages war on science—and Christians get caught in the blast radius? In this Good Faith Podcast episode, Curtis Chang talks with former NIH director Dr. Francis Collins and BioLogos president Dr. Kristine Torjesen about Collins' forced exit from NIH, the shutdown of a major HIV prevention programs in Africa, and how cuts to vaccines, medical research, and public health are threatening lives and future breakthroughs in cancer, Alzheimer's, and pandemic preparedness. They also confront vaccine distrust, anti-institution politics, and evangelical skepticism of science, while making the case that science is not the enemy of faith but a gift from God for truth, healing, and human flourishing.

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05:56 - Political Interference in Science Roles, Research, and Aid Cuts

10:57 - Are Medical Advances Threatened by Political Decisions?

16:03 - Curtis Gets Candid About Unexpected Benefits of Medical Aid in His Life

17:34 - Vaccine Policy Changes and Anti-Vax Influence

20:46 - Engaging Christians Who Distrust Science

25:39 - What Lessons Can We Learn from COVID Vaccine Promotion

28:32 - Is Science Politically Biased?

36:15 - Distrust of Institutions and Its Roots

44:45 - Equipping Pastors and Parents for Faith-Science Conversations

46:59 - Hopeful Medical Advances Despite Setbacks