Govind Tekale
In his recent address to Congress, President Donald Trump made a notable slip-up that quickly went viral. Trump claimed the Biden administration had spent “$8 million for making mice transgender,” causing immediate reactions both in Congress and across social media.
What Trump likely meant to reference was research using “transgenic mice” – laboratory mice that have been genetically modified for medical research purposes. These mice are crucial tools in studying human diseases and developing new treatments.
The Scientific Reality
Transgenic mice are genetically altered to carry genes not typically present in their species. They’re used extensively in medical research to study conditions like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.
The actual research Trump referenced appears to have been several legitimate health studies funded during the Biden administration, including:
- A $3.1 million study examining sex-specific inflammatory mechanisms in asthma
- A $1.2 million study using transgenic mice to research hormones
- A $2.5 million fertility study- Reproductive Consequences of Steroid Hormone Administration
- A $735,113 Research on how hormones affect gut microbiome
- A $299,940 analysis of breast cancer risk in female-to-male transgender individuals taking testosterone
- A $455,000 HIV research project studying the immune response in mice given cross-hormone therapy
Political Context
The White House later doubled down on Trump’s claim, sharing a government webpage stating: “Yes, Biden spent millions on transgender animal experiments.” However, this appears to be a mischaracterization of legitimate medical research.
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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), supported by Elon Musk, had flagged these studies as part of their effort to identify what they consider wasteful government spending.
Social Media Reaction
The internet quickly erupted with memes and jokes about “transgender mice.” Social media platforms are filled with humorous posts and images mocking the president’s slip-up.
One PhD scholar attempted to redirect the conversation, noting: “TransGENIC mice are not TransGENDER mice,” and emphasized the importance of “legitimate research tools.”
Scientific Importance
The research in question represents standard medical investigation techniques using genetically modified mice to study human diseases and develop treatments. Such research has led to numerous medical breakthroughs and continues to be essential for advancing human health.
As one article noted: “You can rest easy knowing that millions of taxpayer dollars were not frittered away on ‘woke’ experiments to impose new gender identities on lab rodents — all of the spending cited was, of course, in improving human health. Because that’s what medical researchers do.”
Administrative Response
Following the controversy, the White House referred to their list of studies when asked to substantiate Trump’s comment. The episode reflects ongoing tensions about government spending priorities, particularly scientific research.
