How Science, Faith, and Social Justice Intersect to Create a Healthier, More Equitable Society

Viewed through the lens of faith and social justice, research is more than an intellectual pursuit – it is a moral responsibility. 

In recent months, we have watched the foundation of scientific research come under attack—undermined by political rhetoric, shrinking budgets, and growing skepticism of scientific evidence. As a scientist and a member of the Leadership Team of A Faith That Does Justice, I find this trend both painful and alarming. It threatens to erode one of humanity’s most powerful tools for addressing urgent challenges: climate change, infectious diseases, global health crises, food insecurity, and environmental degradation.

The founder of A Faith That Does Justice, Fr. Peter Gyves, SJ, MD, embodied the integration of science, faith, and service. Before becoming a Jesuit priest, he served as a physician and clinical investigator at the National Institutes of Health. He understood that medicine and research could heal not only through treatment but also by standing with those who suffer and by seeking justice. His life reminds us that scientific discovery is most meaningful when it responds to human need.

As a microbiologist with over 40 years of research experience — much of it supported by the National Institutes of Health — I have witnessed how basic science enhances lives across all divides: rich or poor, marginalized or mainstream. Today’s challenges to science are not abstract; they endanger us all, especially those with the fewest resources to protect themselves.

These challenges include political rhetoric that ignores scientific evidence, particularly on issues like climate change and public health. Funding for basic research has been slashed, making it hard to sustain long-term projects that drive discovery. Students pursuing careers in science are being turned away or leaving graduate school after funding for their projects was cancelled by the government. Public trust is undermined by misinformation that spreads faster than facts, eroding confidence in vaccines, environmental science, and medicine. The poor and marginalized often face the greatest risks yet have the least access to lifesaving technologies.

The work of experimentation, discovery, and verification contributes to the collective human effort to create a more just and healthier world. Science is inseparable from service; it is the bridge between knowledge and compassion, between rigorous inquiry and the alleviation of suffering.

Despite current funding cuts, I remain hopeful. Science has always persisted in the face of adversity. Knowledge cannot be silenced; it advances because people—like Father Peter, my colleagues, and countless researchers — remain committed to truth, service, and human dignity. Political resistance only heightens the urgency of our work and reinforces the need for education, transparency, and trust.

But defending science cannot be left to researchers alone. We must speak out in support of political candidates and ballot measures that prioritize research, education, and public health. We can also support science directly through philanthropy to reputable nonprofits and foundations, especially those funding research that addresses inequities and benefits underserved communities. Public health initiatives that reduce disparities in care and advocacy groups that ensure equitable access to medical advances deserve our support. And finally, each of us can promote science literacy by sharing accurate, evidence-based resources with family, friends, and our communities.

Science must remain a beacon of hope. I believe that research — rooted in integrity and directed toward justice — will endure, and in doing so, will help build a world where no one is left behind.

Jean C. Lee Ph.D. is the Director of Advancement for A Faith That Does Justice. She is a retired Associate Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School.