Read the first part of the analysis here.
In Donald Trump’s second presidency, anti-science figures have been chosen for key health policy making roles, even as scientific research in healthcare has seen significant advancements. Former US President Barack Obama once said: “Our universities are where knowledge is produced, but our politics is wrong,” a statement that explains very well how Trump’s political decisions threaten research progress.
Jay Bhattacharya to lead NIH
Jay Bhattacharya, an Indian American physician and economist, has been chosen to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Bhattacharya is known for leading the controversial the so-called Great Barrington Declaration in 2020, together with Sunetra Gupta and Martin Kull Dorff. This document proposed an alternative strategy to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for a method they termed “Focused Protection.”
The declaration opposed widespread measures such as lockdowns, travel restrictions, and other public health interventions. Instead, it recommended allowing COVID-19 to spread freely among low-risk groups, particularly children and young adults, while focusing protection efforts on those most vulnerable to severe disease, such as the elderly and individuals with underlying health conditions. The authors argued that this approach would expedite the development of herd immunity, thereby curbing the spread of the virus more quickly and with fewer societal and economic disruptions.
In direct response to this declaration, 80 scientists published an open letter in The Lancet on October 15, 2020, titled the John Snow Memorandum. Named in honor of John Snow, the father of modern epidemiology, the memorandum provided a robust critique of the Great Barrington Declaration’s claims, asserting that its approach was scientifically unsound and ethically questionable.
Drawing on historical lessons from past pandemics, the memorandum argued that stringent public health measures were essential to controlling the spread of COVID-19 until effective vaccines could be developed and widely distributed. It emphasized that herd immunity through natural infection was not a viable or safe strategy, given the high risk of severe disease and death, particularly among vulnerable populations. The John Snow Memorandum became a rallying point for public health experts and organizations advocating for evidence-based strategies to combat COVID-19. It underscored the critical importance of science, solidarity, and equity in navigating the complexities of a global health crisis.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s attempt to achieve herd immunity through a laissez-faire approach as advocated by the Great Barrington Declaration to the COVID-19 pandemic has been the subject of intense global scrutiny and criticism. Diverging from the strict lock-downs implemented in many countries, Sweden adopted a relatively relaxed strategy, emphasizing individual responsibility over government-mandated restrictions. Sweden’s approach soon faced backlash as it became evident that the relaxed measures resulted in higher infection rates, hospitalizations, and deaths compared to its Nordic neighbors, such as Denmark, Norway, and Finland. The absence of rigorous public health interventions disproportionately affected vulnerable populations, including the elderly in long-term care facilities, where mortality rates were particularly high.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: anti-vaccine advocate in HHS leadership
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his vocal anti-vaccine views, has been appointed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), a position akin to Minister of Health, at a time when the efficacy of vaccines is no longer in question, as the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated. Vaccines were crucial in controlling the virus, and their role has expanded beyond infectious diseases to include combating conditions like cancer.
Modern vaccines are safer and more effective than ever before. Unlike earlier vaccines that used weakened or inactivated pathogens, today’s vaccines use specific protein components, such as the Spike (S) glycoprotein in the coronavirus, to stimulate the immune system. This technique, employing genetic engineering, results in a purified vaccine with fewer side effects. Despite overwhelming evidence, the anti-vaccine movement, which traces back to the era of Edward Jenner, when a vaccine for smallpox was discovered in 1796, continues to spread unfounded claims. Robert Kennedy Jr. remains a prominent leader in this movement, perpetuating misinformation about vaccine safety.
Read more: How does RFK Jr. intend to “Make America Healthy Again”?
Ironically, the decision to appoint an anti-vaccine proponent as HHS Secretary was taken in the wake of the US scientists Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their pivotal work in developing mRNA vaccines in 2023.
The world stands on the cusp of a new era in vaccine development, with the United States in a prime position to lead this transformative wave. However, for this potential to be fully realized, the leadership of US federally funded research institutions must be composed of experts who champion scientific thinking and progress. Unfortunately, the recent appointments of anti-vaccine and anti-science figures to key health positions have created a significant obstacle. This setback will not only affect the United States but will also have repercussions around the world.
Threats to open-source movements are a threat to healthcare
Capitalism, rooted in competition, monopolization, and privatization, stands in stark contrast to the philosophy of free software, which emphasizes collaboration and sharing of knowledge production and dissemination. This philosophy, which traces its origins to the US, was championed by Richard Matthew Stallman of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His advocacy for free software laid the foundation for free software movements globally. The Open-Source Pharma Foundation was established on these principles, expanding its efforts into the Open Source COVID Foundation, which during the COVID-19 pandemic period aimed to provide medicines and equipment required for COVID-19 treatment under an open-source model. Currently, the Open-Source Pharma Foundation is in the early stages of researching a universal vaccine aimed at preventing a wide range of infectious diseases, furthering its commitment to open-source innovation in healthcare. The current policies announced by President Trump obviously threaten the continued functioning of the open-source movement and, by extension, initiatives like the Open-Source Pharma Foundation.
Anti-science has a heavy cost
Donald Trump’s policies are reminiscent of Thabo Mbeki, the former president of South Africa, in his rejection of scientific consensus. Mbeki’s approach to the AIDS epidemic was entirely anti-scientific and regressive. Claiming to strive for an African renaissance, Mbeki rejected modern medicine, labeling it as an ‘imperialist science’. He endorsed the views of Peter Duesberg, a discredited scientist from the University of California, who propagated false theories about AIDS. Duesberg, who had dismissed all scientific findings about HIV/AIDS, claimed that AIDS was not caused by a virus but was merely a result of malnutrition and a weakened immune system. He argued that AIDS was not a communicable disease and that safe sex practices and condom use were unnecessary. Duesberg, who had become a laughingstock in the scientific community for his writings and speeches claiming that antiretroviral drugs for AIDS were poisonous, was appointed as an AIDS advisor to the South African government.
Watch: To end the HIV/AIDS pandemic, we need to end inequities
South Africa, which once raised hopes of leading third-world countries in the fight against AIDS, became a subject of ridicule in the global scientific community due to the denialist stance adopted under Mbeki’s leadership. In January 2005, when Nelson Mandela’s son, Makgatho, died of AIDS, things began to change. Nelson Mandela stepped forward to champion AIDS prevention efforts, urging everyone to work together to combat the disease. It is estimated that at least 500,000 people died of AIDS due to Mbeki’s denialist stance. In September 2008, following Mbeki’s resignation, Kgalema Motlanthe assumed office. Under the leadership of Health Minister Barbara Hogan, South Africa’s AIDS policy was restructured and implemented based on scientific principles, marking the beginning of effective AIDS control in the country.
While South Africa and the United States differ significantly, particularly in their historical relationship with scientific research, the situation remains concerning. South Africa lacked the extensive research infrastructure of the US, which has long been a global leader in science. At a time when the world is focusing on learning from health crises and advancing through international collaboration and scientific progress, it is troubling to see a leading nation like the United States adopting a regressive stance reminding us of the disastrous policies of Mbeki. Trump’s similar disregard for scientific expertise and his decisions, particularly in health, pose a grave threat to both the US and global health efforts. His actions are a stark reminder of the damage that can be done when political leaders reject science.
Global health at a critical crossroads
The US stands at a pivotal crossroads in global health, where its legacy as a pioneer in scientific innovation is now under threat due to the recent policy decisions by President Donald Trump. Withdrawal from the WHO and the climate accord, coupled with the appointment of questionable figures to lead key medical institutions, has not only threatened international cooperation and scientific integrity but also pushed the global health system to the brink of collapse. As the world faces increasingly complex health challenges, the US must reevaluate its policies and chart a new course in health policy—one that emphasizes global solidarity and prioritizes scientifically valid decision-making.
People’s Health Dispatch is a fortnightly bulletin published by the People’s Health Movement and Peoples Dispatch. For more articles and to subscribe to People’s Health Dispatch, click here.
Dr. B. Ekbal is a health activist, former Professor of Neurosurgery and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Kerala.
