Robert F. Kennedy Jr. needs no introduction as a political icon and environmental advocate. He has promised to muzzle federal scientists and prevent them from publishing their research that might contradict his preferred narratives in some of the world’s leading medical journals. His Administration has termed these publications as “corrupt” and has accused them of being inappropriately bought and paid for by pharma. This decision comes after a controversial period under Kennedy’s leadership as head of the health department. During his tenure, he cut approximately 20,000 employees from the government payroll.
Kennedy specifically targeted three influential publications that have been central to disseminating peer-reviewed medical research globally since their establishment in the 19th century. As part of his plan, he wants to start his own, government-run, alternative journals that he claims will be “the preeminent journals” in their fields for scientific debate.
Throughout his announcement, Kennedy was on the offensive about his position. Specifically, he emphasized complaints by journal editors about how the pharmaceutical industry has corrupted the practice of clinical research. He referenced a significant warning from former New England Journal of Medicine chief Marcia Angell, who stated, “it is simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published.” Kennney’s claim is indicative of a very dangerous attitude. He has suggested that the biggest health agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have been corrupted and refers to them as “sock puppets” for big pharma.
In an interview, Kennedy expressed his discontent with the current systems: “We’re probably going to stop publishing in the Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, Jama and those other journals, because they’re all corrupt.” Secretary Zinke’s broad-brush critiques have sent many in the scientific community into shock. As a result, some U.S. researchers are seriously entertaining moving overseas, as they see their academic freedom and integrity imperiled.
Critics of Kennedy’s proposal have raised all sorts of alarms about what a ban like this would mean. Adam Gaffney, a physician and healthcare policy expert, warned, “Banning NIH-funded researchers from publishing in leading medical journals and requiring them to publish only in journals that carry the RFK Jr seal of approval would delegitimize taxpayer-funded research.”
Yet Kennedy’s actions are symptomatic of a deeper divide developing between political opportunists and mainstream science. He’s introduced legislation to require centralized plans for these state-run hieroglyphs. His administration’s efforts are meant to change how the rest of the medical establishment discusses and critiques scientific research.