Tulane University, one of Louisiana’s most prestigious private institutions, seeks $30 million in taxpayer funding to establish a biomedical research center. At first glance, such a request might seem like a routine investment in science and innovation. However, upon closer inspection, a larger question emerges: Is Tulane primarily an academic institution, or is it an increasingly political actor?
This article isn’t just about funding scientific research. It’s about whether or not our legislature should funnel taxpayer dollars into an organization that has repeatedly inserted itself into politically charged national debates.
A Pattern of Political Engagement
The concern isn’t merely theoretical. Tulane has consistently demonstrated a willingness to engage in politically divisive issues. This inclination raises questions about whether Tulane would use the entirety of the public funds requested for research or if a portion would subsidize ideological activism.
COVID-19 and Tulane’s Role in the Origin Debate
One of the most politically charged debates of recent years is the origin of COVID-19. While multiple intelligence reports have confirmed that the virus likely originated in a biomedical lab in China, Tulane University’s Dr. Robert F. Garry was one of the loudest voices arguing otherwise.
Dr. Garry co-authored a widely cited 2020 study in Nature Medicine claiming that COVID-19 emerged naturally and was “not a laboratory construct” (Nature, March 2020). As more evidence emerged about lab-based origins, the CIA openly questioned this conclusion.
Moreover, as of February 2025, Louisiana’s voter rolls reflect that Dr. Garry is a registered Democrat. His political preference raises serious questions about whether his research conclusions were driven by science or if he was merely walking in lockstep with his political party’s well-established narrative.
In-line with the Democrat Party’s covid-era penchant for vaccine mandates, Tulane opposed Representative Beryl Amedee’s HB866. This legislation would have prevented the mandate of any drug Authorized for Emergency Use (EUA) or designated a countermeasure under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act by codifying a right to refuse experimental drugs. Why would Tulane University, a biomedical research hub, oppose legislation that would essentially codify the principles of informed consent recognized in the Nuremberg Code?
If Tulane’s biomedical research arm engages in politically charged public health debates, should taxpayers trust them with $30 million of the state’s treasure?
Deeper Historical Context: Tulane’s Long History with Biomedical Controversies
Tulane University’s School of Medicine is no stranger to contentious medical research. The book Dr. Mary’s Monkey by Edward T. Haslam delves into the mysterious 1964 murder of Dr. Mary Sherman, a prominent cancer researcher affiliated with both the Ochsner Foundation Hospital and Tulane University’s School of Medicine.
Haslam’s investigation suggests that Dr. Sherman’s death is intertwined with clandestine research involving cancer-causing viruses, secret laboratories, and even the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He posits that Dr. Sherman was part of a covert project aiming to weaponize cancerous viruses, with research activities allegedly linked to facilities associated with Tulane University.
While these claims are controversial and lack definitive proof, they highlight past concerns regarding the ethical boundaries of medical research conducted in New Orleans, specifically at Tulane. Given this history, it’s reasonable to question whether Tulane’s proposed biomedical center will operate with the necessary transparency and ethical oversight.
Tulane’s Involvement in the Library Censorship Debate
Tulane’s political footprint doesn’t end with COVID-19 and other mysterious viruses. The university has also played a key role in Louisiana’s battle to remove explicit children’s books in schools and public libraries.
The Tulane Law Clinic, which operates under the university’s umbrella, has sent letters to public libraries across the state, warning that legal action could follow if library boards relocate explicit books to the adult section (PDF of the letter | New Louisiana, Oct. 2023). While framed as legal advocacy, this effort aligns closely with a progressive push to keep sexually explicit books available to minors.
This article is not about taking sides in the library debate but about the appropriateness of taxpayer funding for an institution that actively engages in political advocacy. If the Louisiana government is barred from directly influencing cultural and legal battles, should it be allowed to outsource these fights to NGOs like Tulane University?
A Broader Pattern: A Private Institution With Public Money
Tulane is a private university yet has been a repeat recipient of taxpayer funding. Now, with $30 million on the table, it’s fair to ask:
- Is Tulane using taxpayer dollars purely for research, or is it subsidizing a broader political agenda?
- Should a university that inserts itself into national culture wars continue receiving massive public funding?
- If Tulane has acted as a political actor in the past, what guarantees exist that Tulane won’t use this money for similar advocacy efforts?
The pattern is clear: Tulane isn’t just asking for money. Tulane asks taxpayers to subsidize an institution that engages in politically charged debates. Whether on pandemic origins, free speech battles, cultural policy, or even controversial biomedical ethics, Tulane has proven that it’s more than just an academic institution but also a significant, taxpayer-funded political influencer.
So before Louisiana lawmakers sign off on a $30 million taxpayer-funded handout, they might want to ask: Are we funding medical research or a political agenda?
Final Thoughts: Should Lawmakers Push Back?
If lawmakers are serious about ensuring that public funds serve public interests, they should demand explicit guarantees and oversight before cutting Tulane a check. The university should be required to provide:
- Detailed spending breakdowns for the biomedical research center.
- A commitment to political neutrality in its publicly funded projects.
- Transparency on past and future taxpayer-funded activities that could impact political or cultural debates.
At a time when universities are increasingly acting as extensions of political movements, it’s worth asking whether Louisiana taxpayers should be paying for Tulane’s political activism or whether our lawmakers should deny this request outright.
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