The Trump administration has revoked money was for a pioneering spirit system designed to save the life of critically ill babies, just days after it was granted by the US department of defense.
The$ 6. 7 million offer, awarded to Dr James Antaki and his team at Cornell University on 30 March, was meant to support the next phase of growth for the PediaFlow system. The battery-sized pumps is designed to assist children with congenital heart problems survive until they can have surgery or receive a graft.
But on 8 April, the department of defense issued a stop-work order, properly cancelling the money without offering a purpose. The research team now faces an uncertain future, with Antaki reminder that staff layoffs and a block in development are good if new money is n’t secured within 90 days.
“It’s hard to accept, ” Antaki told NBC News. “This is more than a task — it ’s a goal. We’re doing this for the kids. ”
The withdrawal is one of several drastic cash transactions linked to broader cost-cutting procedures introduced by US leader Donald Trump’s revived management. The department of government performance, overseen by Elon Musk, has led the charge in slashing academic and scientific provides deemed “non-essential. ”
Health professionals have expressed concern at the walk. “This machine has enormous potential, ” said Dr Evan Zahn, a paediatric doctor. “Losing this money is a real loss for geriatric medicine. ”
About 1 in 100 babies are born with heart problems in the US each month. With continued research, Antaki believes PediaFlow could give hope to thousands of families— but only if the job is allowed to continue.
