More than 75 Nobel Prize winners are urging the Senate to reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, citing his views as a threat to public health.
Teddy Rosenbluth reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- The laureates argue Kennedy’s lack of medical and scientific credentials makes him unfit to lead the department.
- Kennedy's controversial positions on vaccines, public health agencies and conspiracy theories raise concerns about his leadership.
- The letter warns that Kennedy’s appointment could jeopardize public health and the integrity of federal health institutions.
Key quote:
“These political attacks on science are very damaging. You have to stand up and protect it.”
— Richard Roberts, Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine
Why this matters:
Kennedy's skepticism of established science and public health measures could undermine trust in critical institutions like the CDC and FDA. An HHS secretary who promotes misinformation could impact public health policy, vaccine uptake and federal research efforts.
Related: Kennedy’s health shake-up agenda could redefine U.S. regulations
