Oppose RFK Jr.’s Ignorant Cuts to mRNA Research, Protect World Health

Today I take pen in hand to write and urge you to use all means, legislative and legal to oppose Robert F Kennedy Jr.’s most recent action of canceling research funds for mRNA research and development of vaccines. This comes on the heels of layoffs, smashing cancer research, stopping vaccines, and of course, lying to Congress repeatedly. This arbitrary and stupendously ignorant decision — based on nothing — to cut nearly half a billion dollars in federal funding for future mRNA vaccine development is misguided and will have grave consequences for public health preparedness. It comes over the objection of scientists, researchers, and likely the pharmaceutical industry itself. Kennedy is not a doctor, merely a snake oil quack being given cover by Congress to do all this. His ‘beliefs’ have nothing to do with anything rational, medical, or in the interest of public health. With this action, he’s dealt another blow to the public trust in science. It’s infuriating. As we all know and have seen, mRNA technology has proven highly effective against COVID-19, saving countless lives. It holds immense potential for rapidly developing vaccines against emerging threats like influenza pandemics and other infectious diseases. Traditional vaccine production methods are too slow to adequately respond in those kinds of crises. Dismissing the well-established safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines based on misinformation is irresponsible policymaking that needlessly endangers lives, not just in the United States, but public safety across the world. You must force Kennedy to reinstate this vital funding. Use the threat of impeachment, of get allied organizations to sue him personally and his immediate leadership. It’s critical to maintaining the scientific capabilities required to protect the population from future pandemics and disease outbreaks. The risks of being unprepared for the next major public health emergency far outweigh any purported concerns about mRNA technology, or weird quack beliefs. It cannot stand. Decisions with such far-reaching impacts require thorough evidence-based review, not ideological motivations contradicting expert consensus. Reinstate this funding immediately to uphold the obligation to leverage the full potential of scientific progress in service of public. If anyone needs to be dismissed, it’s Kennedy and the political leaders around him. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter of world health.