A wave of controversy has engulfed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) following the decision to appoint David Geier to lead a federal study on potential links between vaccinations and autism.
Geier, known for his controversial positions and for having long supported a connection between vaccinations and autism spectrum disorders, a theory that has been repeatedly debunked by the scientific community, was chosen to conduct the analysis, according to anonymous sources within the government.
The decision has sparked strong disapproval among experts and the public. Geier, working with with his father Mark, a physician, published several studies attributing a determining role to vaccines in the rise of the disease, despite numerous scientific studies finding no correlation. The American Academy of Pediatrics disputes their findings, stating that they contain “numerous conceptual and scientific flaws, omissions of fact, inaccuracies, and misstatements.” Every state where Mark Geier had a license to practice has since revoked it, citing questionable practices and misrepresentations of his credentials.
David Geier was fined $10,000 in 2012 by the Maryland State Board of Physicians for practicing as a licensed physician, when in reality he only had an undergraduate degree in biology. He has not obtained a medical degree since.
Assigning this investigation to such a controversial and unqalified figure has raised questions about the impartiality and reliability of the study. According to experts, this choice could fuel further misinformation during a time when the debate over vaccines remains heated, with potentially serious repercussions for public health.
Many current and former health officials have expressed reservations about the decision, emphasizing the risk that the study could be influenced by ideological biases rather than driven by scientific evidence. Online discussion platforms have been flooded with negative comments, with users pointing out Geier’s lack of qualifications and recalling past controversies related to his research.
Some experts have reiterated that the idea of a correlation between vaccines and autism has been extensively explored over the past decades, all studies reaching the same conclusion: there is no link. Therefore, assigning the leadership of a federal investigation to someone who has repeatedly promoted an unfounded theory risks undermining the credibility of institutions and fueling mistrust in vaccinations.
