13 February 2025
4 Pain read
Scientists react to RFK, Jr. Confirmation for HHS Secretariat
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has noted the support of some areas of science, but he stated that he would like a “interrupt” research in infectious diseases. Here’s what the Secretary of the United States of Health and Human Services can do
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Now he oversees US disease control and prevention centers, called Cesspool Corruption last year ‘.
Scientists have great changes in the direction of US biomedical research Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has promoted vaccination disinformation and public health conspiraciesControl over a wide swathe of science policy.
The Senate vows today to confirm Kennedy Donald Trump as president as Secretary of Health and Human Services, with a $ 1.7 billion annual budget Centers for disease control and preventionFood and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) – World’s largest biomedical research grant. Kennedy has internalized some biomedical research areas. But he has shown the hostility to others, and has rejected the established science Covid-19 vaccine efficiencyVaccine safety in general and other matters. (Kennedy told Senate that he accepts vaccines and believes that life saved.)
“The future of America appears as a superpower,” says Theodora Hatzioanno, which creates rounds of rounds of Rockefeller University in New York, HIV and Horbar; The cause of AIDS has suggested the fake Kennedy. “It doesn’t follow scientific evidence that he helps that he helps.
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False dichotimy
In his presidency campaign, Kennedy said he would prioritize research on chronic diseases Infectious disease research “A break” for eight years. Talking to the Senate Commission in January, his obesity, diabetes, asthma and some cancers stated that they had less attention than infectious diseases, but mostly are responsible for rising health costs. (NIH data Show only to cancer that contains more federal funding to all infectious diseases combined.)
Some researchers who could cause attention to the chronic disease are also concerned. Eric four, Florida, a cancer researcher at the Florida Moffitt Cancer Center would certainly be nice to see more money to learn cancer, that the federal government generally focuses on increasing biomedical research financing.
Both and Larry Schlesinger, the doctor of the Texas Institute of Saint Antonio, said a fuel to benefit a pitch is a false dichotomy between chronic and infectious diseases not rooted in the scientific idea. Reality.
As the two of the stitched examples, researchers refer to evidence Some chronic conditions arise from infectious diseases: Infection Human Papillomavirus (HPV), for example, can cause serbix cancer and other tissues. “The prioritization of chronic conditions means more and more infectious diseases,” says Schlesinger, himself Diagnosed with oral cancer After decades of HPV after an infection. “We are appreciating more and more infections, and the inflammation that affects the important role in these chronic conditions.”
Scientists also say constant explosion Flu BirdHe has made at least 68 people in the United States since he started 2024, a very bad time to reduce research on infectious diseases.
Put food attention
He has committed his “healthy healthy America”, Kennedy has repeatedly called for further examination Diet and NutritionResearch on the links between environmental pollution and human health. In January, Kennedy said that scientists “know” obesity due to “environmental toxin” and why they do not dedicate themselves to dedicate and delete themselves.
Fatima Cody Stanford, Massachusetts Massachusetts Massachusetts of Massachusetts in Boston Massachusetts medicine medicine medicine medicine. Obesity is a complex condition Not only the environment, but also genetics, development and behavior. “RFK’s assertion reflects limited knowledge of this complexity,” he explained.
The change in food and diet is still a stronger change, says Deirdre Tobias, Boston’s Brigham and the Epidemiologist of the Women’s Hospital. The past administrations, notice, has been left in the film “FDA”. But changes to Food policy should be carefully examined and protected by sound sciences, because the wrong policy decisions can cause damage.
For example, Kennedy has deleted ultra processed foods. But this category has different types of food, and the researchers do not yet know what aspects of these might be harmful, says Tobias. “It could be done a lot with the right steps,” he explained, but the government would not “take a sleigh to things that are broken without understanding ramifications.”
Cash
Regardless of Kennedy’s preferences, it seems clear Full funding available for biomedical research will be less than previous years. Trump’s close tip Elon Musk has cut $ 2 billion at least $ 2. On February 7, the administration announced A research form called indirect payments, panic spark in the academic community. A federal judge has temporarily suspended said Nih will save more than $ 4 billion a year.
Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, Microbiologist Food Safety at the University of Griffin Georgia, has said more than anything, “the main influence of Kennedy’s terms” is to reduce funding. “
Kennedy said he will review the change of indirect costs, but the researchers worry about its next movements. Kennedy “has no scientific survey tracks,” says Cody Stanford. “It’s hard to know what he will do.”
This article reproduces with permission and has been First posted On February 13, 2025.
