As President-elect Donald Trump nominates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the position of Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), over 75 Nobel Prize laureates have signed a letter urging US senators to reject the nomination. These scientists were worried about Kennedy's views and how they could affect public health policies, stressing the need to keep science free from political influence.

Richard Roberts, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1993 and helped compose the letter, marked the importance of this action. He stated, "These political attacks on science are extremely harmful. It's crucial to take a stand and defend it."

The letter criticizes Kennedy for his lack of expertise in medicine, science, and administration, arguing that his leadership could put public health at risk and damage America's position in global health. It also points out his promotion of false conspiracy theories, such as the debunked link between vaccines and autism and unproven claims that the coronavirus disproportionately affects certain ethnic groups.

Kennedy's rejection of key public health measures, like vaccines and water fluoridation, and his criticism of agencies such as the FDA, CDC, and NIH, have concerned the Nobel laureates. The letter says, "The DHHS leader should support and strengthen these important institutions, not harm them."

Kennedy has also called for vaccine scientists to be imprisoned and promised to replace many NIH staff if he becomes Secretary. He has accused the FDA of attacking public health.

The letter was signed by 77 Nobel laureates from various disciplines, featuring prominent figures such as Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, who discovered microRNA, and economists Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson, recognized for their work on global inequality.

Dr. Harold Varmus, a 1989 Nobel laureate pointed out the crucial link between scientific progress and political systems, pointing out that federal funding is essential for driving economic growth through research. "Science relies on the political framework of this country," he said. "We cannot overlook this just because we are scientists."

Roberts expressed hope that the letter would convince enough senators to block Kennedy’s nomination, preserving the integrity and leadership of public health institutions.