Accountability, not complicity, for sabotaging science

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent wipeout of nearly $500 million in funding for mRNA-based vaccine and cancer research is nothing short of a death sentence for scientific innovation and public health. His termination of 22 federal contracts, including projects with Moderna, Pfizer, and institutions like Emory University, is a reckless blow to progress and pandemic preparedness. mRNA technology isn’t some untested fringe experiment—it’s a proven life-saver. Developed over decades and brought to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA vaccines have saved millions of lives and are the foundation for promising treatments in oncology, HIV, and other critical medical areas. Nobel laureate Katalin Karikó has warned that these cuts don’t just undercut U.S. leadership—they will drive scientific talent overseas. This isn't just ignorance—it’s scientific sabotage. Kennedy has stacked advisory panels with anti-vaccine ideologues and purged established experts, putting ideology ahead of evidence. Worse, every Senate vote backing Kennedy’s confirmation is now a vote for death. His narrow confirmation—52-48 in February 2025—rests on support from senators who may have been swayed by political pressure or misinformation. Those who enabled him didn’t just green-light his appointment—they bear partial responsibility for the lives endangered by his actions. Senators who voted to confirm Kennedy—if not complicit, at the very least negligent—must be held accountable. They are now responsible for the deaths of patients who might have benefited from mRNA-based cancer therapies, emerging vaccines, or pandemic safeguards. This is beyond politics. It’s moral dereliction. I urge you to: Condemn Kennedy’s attacks on science and call for restoration of these vital research funds. Demand accountability from the Senators who enabled his confirmation, including oversight hearings and public explanations. Champion policies that reaffirm America’s commitment to evidence, innovation, and leadership in medical breakthroughs. Every day without this funding is another day lives go unprotected. We need leadership, not complicity.