Official announcement from the U.S. Senate or Department of Health and Human Services

Trump's NIH Director Nominee Faces Opposition from 75 Nobel Laureates

Dec 11, 2024, 01:53 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to head the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aiming to address the chronic disease crisis in the U.S. Bhattacharya, a professor at Stanford University, has been described as an 'eminently qualified person' by some supporters. His appointment is viewed as a potential shift towards focusing on prevention and reversing chronic diseases. However, this nomination has sparked controversy, with over 75 Nobel laureates expressing concerns about the implications for health research and policy. Critics worry that Bhattacharya's views on vaccines and health could lead to the promotion of debunked claims linking vaccines to autism. Additionally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been considered for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services, raising further concerns among pro-life Republicans due to his pro-abortion stance. Kennedy has also been involved in a fundraising deal with Libertarians, which has provided a financial boost to his campaign and Trump's.