Nobel laureates criticize RFK Jr. HHS nomination over ‘lack of credentials,’ vaccine stance
Seventy-seven Nobel Prize winners have recently expressed their strong opposition to the nomination of environmental and health activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. In a letter published by the New York Times, the Nobel Laureates have urged members of the United States Senate to reject RFK Jr.’s nomination, citing concerns about his lack of credentials in health science or administration, his anti-vaccine stance, and his promotion of conspiracy theories regarding mainstream medical treatments.
Kennedy, the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, is known for his work as an environmental lawyer and activist. He is the founder of the Children’s Health Defense, a nonprofit organization that has been accused of spreading misinformation about vaccines, including debunked claims linking vaccination to autism. Despite his lack of formal training in health sciences, President-elect Trump announced his intention to nominate Kennedy for the position of HHS Secretary after Kennedy endorsed Trump during his presidential campaign.
The Nobel Laureates have highlighted Kennedy’s opposition to widely-accepted public health interventions, such as vaccination and water fluoridation, as well as his denial of scientific evidence linking H.I.V. to AIDS. They also point out Kennedy’s hostile criticism of the agencies he would be overseeing as Health Secretary, including the FDA, CDC, and NIH. Kennedy has accused these agencies of corruption and called for the removal of entire departments within the FDA.
If confirmed, Kennedy would be responsible for leading a vast health policy bureaucracy with a $2 trillion budget, overseeing important programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. The Nobel Laureates argue that placing Kennedy in charge of DHHS could endanger public health and undermine America’s global leadership in the health sciences. They emphasize the importance of appointing a qualified individual who will uphold evidence-based science and support the work of these crucial health institutions.
Kennedy has expressed his commitment to addressing corruption within government health agencies, promoting evidence-based science, and tackling the chronic disease epidemic in America. His nomination has sparked debate and raised concerns about his ability to effectively lead the Department of Health and Human Services. It remains to be seen how the Senate will respond to the Nobel Laureates’ plea to reject Kennedy’s nomination and choose a candidate with more relevant expertise in the field of health administration.
