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RFK Jr. Must Go
- catigula 1y agoMisinformation about medical science is infinitely tempting even to credible thinkers partially because certain elements of that world have worked overtime to discredit themselves (think opiate safety fraud as a primary example), but also partially because science is messy and cumbersome. For example, credible thinkers, including many people reading this, likely believe psilocybin and ketamine are credible treatments for mental illness when the evidence is incredibly thin and low quality and these are clearly dangerous substances in many regards. The temptation to think there are suppressed secrets in the world (there are, in fact, suppressed secrets) is near infinite.
- thinkingtoilet 1y ago>but also partially because science is messy It's because human beings are messy! If you feed a person a peanut, they might think it's tasty. If you feed a different person a peanut that person may die, quickly. If a god damn peanut can illicit that range of responses in a healthy human being, imagine literally anything else. Of course there is corruption because so much money is on the line and humans in aggregate are a selfish bunch. One thing I always like to point out is that people who try to follow the science and the latest guidance aren't the ones speaking in absolutes. I'm aware the CDC or FDA have gotten things wrong in the past and will get things wrong in the future, but it's the best system we have. It's the anti-science people who speak in absolutes but then the second the cancer diagnosis comes in they come running back begging big pharma for treatment, they'll even bankrupt their entire family trying to get that treatment. It can't be both ways. This is why it's hard to take skeptics seriously. Not only do they throw a thousand things out there, and maybe one or two is right, they conveniently ignore the other 998 things they got way wrong, but when push comes to shove, they love big pharma and beg for it's treatments.
- catigula 1y agoI'm inherently sympathetic to skeptics only because I know people that experienced the following: opiate prescription -> addiction -> death. I think this goes for many Americans.
- brightball 1y agoI always take skeptics seriously, because what is the alternative? We stop asking questions? It doesn't mean I believe every skeptic over science, but it does mean that I'm willing to ask questions. In so many cases on the topics RFK Jr goes after, there are significant gaps in the questions that science has answered. People want those gaps filled and have for many, many years. The answer is always more questions and therefore, more science. Right now, there's an information vacuum and until that vacuum is filled people will continue to speculate. It's human nature, especially when somebody you care about has been affected and nobody can give you answers other than "this is life now".
- alphabettsy 1y agoYou’re correct, but what we’re not doing is more science to answer the questions and fill in the gaps. We’re using anecdotes and conjecture, sometimes conspiracy, in place of science.
- brightball 1y agoHe's talked constantly about doing more studies though. That's his entire platform.
- alphabettsy 1y agoTalking about doing more research while being part of an administration that’s defunding it makes me extremely skeptical that there will be more research. https://www.propublica.org/article/rfk-jr-autism-environment-research-funding https://www.propublica.org/article/rfk-jr-autism-environment...
- brightball 1y agohttps://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-trump-kennedy-autism-initiatives-leucovorin-tylenol-research-2025.html https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-trump-kennedy-autism-init... > Third, NIH today is announcing the recipients of the Autism Data Science Initiative (ADSI), funding 13 projects totaling more than $50 million to transform autism research. ADSI integrates large-scale biological, clinical, and behavioral data with an exposomics approach that examines environmental, nutritional, medical, and social factors alongside genetics. > Projects employ advanced methods such as machine learning and organoid models, address both children and adults across the lifespan, and establish replication hubs to ensure rigor. Each project includes community engagement to align research with the needs of autistic individuals, families, and clinicians.
- phlipski 1y agoDon't confuse skeptics with conspiracy theorists.
- archerx 1y ago>likely believe psilocybin and ketamine are credible treatments for mental illness That’s so vague and disingenuous. Should you take psychedelics if you have schizophrenia or something similar? Absolutely not but there is hard science research proving that they do help with depression and other issues. I lost all my faith in the medical industry when I went through it. I entered with a minor problem and left with a much worse chronic pain. The doctor who did it to me had the gall to say it was in my head. Fortunately I went to another doctor and the CT scan proved it was in fact not in my head but in my intestines. I’m dealing with this drama, but I learned a lot of doctors are actually really bad and just want to prescribe you stuff and get you out of the door. Ironically the stuff this so called specialist was only making me feel worse and when I told her that she didn’t believe me. Thankfully I have found some good doctors after much efforts and many references but I lost a lot of respect for the medical industry and came to understand that it’s a business and they just want to see you as many medications as possible and don’t really care about solving your problem.
- catigula 1y ago>That’s so vague and disingenuous. Should you take psychedelics if you have schizophrenia or something similar? Absolutely not but there is hard science research proving that they do help with depression and other issues. Again, the research exists but is thin and low quality. I'm sorry you went through issues, I know this is common, which is why I addressed readers looking to self-diagnose but thumb their noses at people doing exactly what they're doing.
- archerx 1y agoI don't I feel like the people who have benefitted from those treatments find it low quality. My mother was also bullshitted by a doctor until she got angry and told him what specific test to do and a week later when the test came back surprise surprise, she was right. My best friend had an intense pain on her side, she went to a doctor and he said it was in her head, she went to another doctor and surprise surprise she had a hernia. Another friend had constant intestinal pain and digestive issues, the doctor refused to do a colonoscopy and just gave her medication for IBS, she went to another doctor and finally got a colonoscopy and surprise surprise she had a tumor, thankfully they were able to cut it out but it would have been better if they had found it sooner. Also when I was young I broke my arm and the doctor set it wrong and now my angle of mobility in it is offset. I have way more stories like this and barely any positive medical stories. If I could go back in time I would have never gone to the doctor and let my body deal with the issue itself. I would be in a lot less pain right now. I hate how righteously arrogant and head up the ass most of the medical industry seems to be. The entire medical industry has problems, needs to be revamped and the incentives have to be changed.
- postflopclarity 1y agoif only anybody had seen this coming.
- sys32768 1y agoAuthor and his spouse both work for pharma companies.
- moralestapia 1y ago[flagged]
- deleted 1y ago[deleted]
- hungryhobbit 1y agoSo they actually know what they're talking about? Fear and hatred of experts is how we got into this mess. If pharmaceutical executives aren't all cartoon mustache-twirling villains (and they're not: many actually want to help sick people), then maybe not every employee is either?
- gjsman-1000 1y agoWell, if tobacco executives aren't all cartoon mustache-twirling villains, then maybe not every employee is either? (But seriously - corruption is an equal opportunity employer, assuming any industry is exempt is dangerous. Take Pfizer - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pfizer#Legal_issues https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pfizer#Legal_issues)
- jghn 1y ago> corruption is an equal opportunity employer Of course it is. Anecdotally however, in my career I've spent a lot of time among people like the author of the article. I've yet to meet a single one who did not present as genuine in their desire to help people. Might it be the case that they are aware of market dynamics within the process? Yes of course. But tropes like Big Pharma intentionally not providing cures or only looking at treatments that require constant application are bollocks. At least to the extent of my hands on experience in the industry.
- 1y ago
- markhahn 1y agois he any less competent than, say, Hegseth?
- Antifa4HN 1y ago[dead]
- hobs 1y agoNo, but you can believe they are both incompetent and bad for the USA at the same time, and if you listed out the incompetent people dangerous for their people in Trump's inner circle they'd never get anything done.
- blurbleblurble 1y agoThey're both competent at misanthropy.
- mingus88 1y agoIt doesn’t matter because the metric is loyalty now. If one thing was learned last term, it was that it’s impossible to staff your administration with competent people if you also expect them to blindly follow the whims and urges of a demented reality show host. To think we went from Mattis to this guy…
- brightball 1y ago[flagged]
- softwaredoug 1y agoIf he had stuck to these topics instead of crackpot notions pinpointing tylenol as the singular cause of autism, he might have a lot more support. (Yes I know there are studies, but more likely cause is genetic due to _older fathers_)
- brightball 1y agoThis is a good example though. If you watch the press conference, he doesn't say that Tylenol is the singular cause of autism. He talks about numerous contributors and he is very careful to say that there's enough correlation to warrant an official warning. He also acknowledges that there's no other solution safe for pregnant mothers in pain so doctors are advised to use their discretion, but recommended to not prescribe more than is necessary. Here's the official write up, it's all very balanced and reasonable. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-trump-kennedy-autism-initiatives-leucovorin-tylenol-research-2025.html https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-trump-kennedy-autism-init... > Second, HHS will act on acetaminophen. Today, the FDA will issue a physician notice and begin the process to initiate a safety label change for acetaminophen (Tylenol and similar products). HHS will launch a nationwide public service campaign to inform families and protect public health. > The FDA is responding to prior clinical and laboratory studies that suggest a potential association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. FDA also recognizes that there are contrary studies showing no association and that there can be risks for untreated fever in pregnancy, both for the mother and fetus. > Given the conflicting literature and lack of clear causal evidence, HHS wants to encourage clinicians to exercise their best judgment in use of acetaminophen for fevers and pain in pregnancy by prescribing the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration when treatment is required. Furthermore, FDA recognizes that acetaminophen is often the only tool for fevers and pain in pregnancy, as other alternatives (e.g., NSAIDs) have well documented adverse effects. FDA is partnering with manufacturers to update labeling and drive new research to safeguard mothers, children, and families.
- jameskilton 1y agoThis is just beating around the bush. The only reason anyone even knows about RFK Jr, much less his current job, is because of Trump. The actual solution is that Trump must go. But America voted for this. Get RFK Jr removed, and Trump will put someone just as bad, or worse, there. And the cycle continues, until Trump and the Republican Party are finally dismantled. But I don't see that happening for quite a few years yet. The economy hasn't crashed hard enough for that to happen.
- cosmicgadget 1y agoYeah, probably next in line is someone from pharma so it's a choice of frying pan or fire.
- hypeatei 1y agoI don't know why this is downvoted but you're absolutely right. Elect a clown, get a circus. Loyalty is the only test with Trump and his sychophants in Congress will confirm whoever he nominates.
- pixxel 1y ago[dead]
- dehrmann 1y agoHe does, but before that happens, the legitimate medical community needs to look in the mirror, reflect on how he happened, why they lost some amount of trust, and look to remedying that. Someone else in this thread pointed out their role in the opioid epidemic. The replication crisis is a growing concern. I'm sure there are more out there.
- alphabettsy 1y agoI think that’s true and I’m not going to make excuses for the mistakes of the medical community, but I don’t think we should excuse the influence of what is now the wellness community, of which RFK Jr. is a part.
- fallinghawks 1y agoThe administration's sowing of distrust in medical community also played a big part. Recommendations of useless and/or unproven remedies as "cures," claims of big pharma driving the decisions, and hyping up the changes in CDC's recommendations as waffling, have legitimized distrust of medicine.
- gruez 1y ago>He does, but before that happens, the legitimate medical community needs to look in the mirror, reflect on how he happened, why they lost some amount of trust, and look to remedying that. Okay but surely we can agree that the appropriate response to "legitimate medical community"'s failings shouldn't be RFK, nor should opposition to RFK be conditional on "look in the mirror, reflect on how he happened ..."? I agree such reflection should happen, but the "but before that happens ..." wording is bizarre. It's like having some domestic terrorist kill a CEO, and then responding to that with "before we can stop domestic terrorism, corporate america must look in the mirror about how it failed rural white blue collar workers in appalachia or whatever"
- dehrmann 1y agoHe wasn't elected, but sometimes (spiritual) protest votes win. If Harris had won and appointed a conventional secretary, it would have been a status quo that people haven't been happy with. > but the "but before that happens ..." wording is bizarre Biden was very much a status quo president who didn't do much to fix underlying problems. The result was the protest vote winning again.
- giantg2 1y ago"Chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes—which I have studied for over forty years—have increased in prevalence despite the fact that many new insights into their pathophysiology have been achieved and new treatments have become available. Changes in nutritional and other environmental exposures are certain to be important contributors, but the specific causes are vigorously debated, and new research insights are desperately needed to address these." Yes and no. You might need specific causes if you want to solve this with a pill or at a 100% level. You could very well solve this for 90% of people with lifestyle changes. Just look at the Amish for obesity and type 2 diabetes. But being more active and eating less ultraprocessed stuff is too burdensome - we all want to eat our cake and have it too.
- deepfriedchokes 1y agoPerhaps we should all ask why people want to eat cake, rather than focusing on the cake itself. These high carbohydrate foods stimulate dopamine release. People are eating their feelings, because they don’t feel good. Ultra processed foods existed before the obesity epidemic began. What changed was economic, the cost of living, and everyone’s quality of life. Food is a readily accessible drug, and everyone is self medicating.
- thisisit 1y ago> These high carbohydrate foods stimulate dopamine release No that doesn't happen. This MAHA statement has become a thing on its own. So much so that RFK is doing exactly what you seem to have an issue with the medical community: https://youtu.be/WBllzAb_vAk https://youtu.be/WBllzAb_vAk
- notmyjob 1y ago[flagged]
- maxerickson 1y agoIt's not hatred, he is a anti science crank and grifter and has no business overseeing HHS.
- notmyjob 1y agoI’m prone to agreement however I would also point out publication bias is a thing, and incentives at the HHS are similar to the “publish or parish” dynamic that drives publication bias. Given that, one can imagine how a skeptical orientation could in fact be useful on occasion to insect a sort of reform that’s analogous to what happened in psychology in the midst of the so called replication crisis. Again, with respect to circumcision I’m probably biased, but certainly not an outlier.
- OutOfHere 1y agoAnyone who performs child circumcision is not only biased and a source of irreversible physical child abuse, but also belongs in prison.
- notmyjob 1y agoEven if they don’t act on that view? Sounds a lot like “thoughtcrime” to me and antagonistic to freedom of religion and therefore also antagonistic to our constitution. While I support your constitutional right to free speech, calling for violence against people because of their religion is imo a shameful and self destructive stance.
- OutOfHere 1y ago> Sounds a lot like “thoughtcrime” to me and antagonistic to freedom of religion There is no thought crime, and I do not call for violence. I call for legal punishment against those who cause permanent physical harm to children. Religion is not a satisfactory excuse for any form of violence, and circumcision qualifies as such violence.
- OutOfHere 1y ago[flagged]
- cosmicgadget 1y agoDo you know the author or are you just saying this because the article criticizes RFK? You realize the FDA has been gutted of personnel and expertise so we're either going to see no regulation or, more likely, rubber stamp regulation.
- OutOfHere 1y ago[flagged]
- cosmicgadget 1y agoWas there like a glut of treatments removed from the market due to FDA oversights or something?
- OutOfHere 1y agoNot that I know of. In fact, in the past several years, the FDA went out of its way to approve various useless, even harmful, drugs for Alzheimers that cause significant brain bleeds and don't fix anything. These drugs were rooted in the fraudulent and failed beta-amyloid theory. It was known in informal circles for over a decade that this particular theory didn't make sense. Moreover, these drugs have astronomical costs, with their use effectively denying others from legitimate treatments by using up the insurance dollars.
- n4r9 1y agoYou make it sound like Kisunla and Leqembi were approved out of negligence. A cursory search reveals that it was a weighted assessment of relative outcomes - the trials showed clinical benefits for a serious condition with few treatment pathways, despite risks.
- 1y ago
- TrnsltLife 1y agoPresumably he'll go at the end of Trump's term. What other mechanisms is the author suggesting? Democrat sweep in the midterms followed by impeachment? Something else?
- foogazi 1y agoThe problem with all of this is that it comes from the top without scientific review or process RFK jr doesn’t like vaccines and now the Health department doesn’t like vaccines, regardless of medical science Hegseth doesn’t like women or trans service members serving and now the Defense department doesn’t like them either, regardless of military science McMahon doesn’t like government schools and now the Education department doesn’t like public schools, regardless of Educational science It won’t stand de facto