Introduction to the Controversy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to hand over multiple sets of vaccine safety data to a discredited researcher with a history of spreading misinformation that vaccines cause autism, according to two sources familiar with the plan. Both learned about the matter during recent meetings at the CDC but were not authorized to speak about it publicly.
The Researcher in Question
David Geier, who shows up in the Department of Health and Human Services’ directory as a “senior data analyst,” will reportedly analyze the data. Geier has repeatedly claimed that vaccines cause autism — a link that’s already been fully debunked.
Concerns Over the Appointment
“If this individual is involved, then it draws into immediate question the validity of any analysis that comes out of this work,” said a former CDC official who was told of the plan before recently leaving the agency. Dr. Richard Besser, president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a former acting CDC director, called Geier a “deeply irresponsible choice” to lead this effort as he has “no medical degree and a long history of pushing discredited theories about vaccines and autism.”
The Implications of the Appointment
“Families affected by autism deserve credible research efforts that explore legitimate potential preventable causes of and treatments for autism,” Besser said in a statement. “They are not helped when our tax dollars and research funds are wasted on rehashing a question that has already been answered.” Geier’s hiring was first reported Tuesday evening by The Washington Post. It was unclear Wednesday whether the plans had since changed. Neither HHS nor Geier responded to requests for comment.
The Current Health Crisis
It comes as a growing measles outbreak is spreading in at least three states: Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. As of Wednesday, 377 cases had been confirmed in those states — the vast majority in unvaccinated children in Texas. It’s the largest measles outbreak in the U.S. since 2019. Two people have died, including a 6-year-old girl. Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease caused by a virus that can lead to severe complications and death.
Background on the Investigation
Earlier this month, it was reported that the CDC would launch a new investigation looking at possible links between vaccines and autism. Instead, the Department of Health and Human Services, led by longtime anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., requested raw data from the CDC’s Vaccine Safety Datalink and three other sources. The CDC is part of HHS.
The Geiers’ History of Misinformation
David Geier and his father, Maryland geneticist Dr. Mark Geier, were a pair of researchers known for their poorly designed and retracted studies using government safety data that have long-fueled widespread misinformation about vaccines. According to an account in the 2005 book “Evidence of Harm,” then-congressman Dave Weldon — whose nomination for CDC director was abruptly withdrawn two weeks ago — intervened to help the Geiers access the Vaccine Safety Datalink, a CDC-housed dataset containing patient health records. This raw data is available to researchers, but isn’t public because of concerns over privacy, misrepresentation of data, and manpower.
Debunked Claims
The Geiers claimed at an Institute of Medicine panel in 2004 that the CDC data showed vaccines were linked to autism, a claim that was refuted by scientists at the meeting and in scores of published studies since. At the same IOM meeting, a scientist explained how the Geiers’ findings had failed to factor for age — children with more vaccines only appeared to have higher rates of autism because they were older and had more time to be diagnosed. (Children on average are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder around age 5.)
Unproven Treatments and Disciplinary Actions
The Geiers conducted research from a makeshift laboratory in their carpeted wood-paneled suburban Maryland basement; published several studies, many of which were retracted; and promoted an unproven treatment for autism that cost families tens of thousands of dollars and included injections of Lupron, a drug used for prostate cancer and early puberty. In children, it’s only approved for precocious puberty and comes with side effects including bone damage, heart issues, and seizures. They diagnosed kids with precocious puberty without proper tests and misled parents into thinking they were signing up for an approved autism therapy. A 2011 Maryland Board of Physicians investigation found that the Geiers violated standards of care.
Conclusion
The appointment of David Geier, a discredited researcher with a history of spreading misinformation about vaccines and autism, to analyze vaccine safety data is deeply concerning. It not only undermines the credibility of the research but also wastes resources on rehashing a question that has already been answered. The focus should be on credible research efforts that explore legitimate potential preventable causes of and treatments for autism, rather than perpetuating debunked theories.
FAQs
- Who is David Geier?
David Geier is a discredited researcher with a history of spreading misinformation that vaccines cause autism. He has been appointed to analyze vaccine safety data despite his lack of credibility in the scientific community. - What is the Vaccine Safety Datalink?
The Vaccine Safety Datalink is a CDC-housed dataset containing patient health records. It is available to researchers but is not public due to concerns over privacy, misrepresentation of data, and manpower. - What is the current health crisis related to vaccines?
There is a growing measles outbreak in at least three states: Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, with the vast majority of cases in unvaccinated children in Texas. - What is the implication of Geier’s appointment?
Geier’s appointment draws into immediate question the validity of any analysis that comes out of this work and wastes tax dollars and research funds on rehashing a question that has already been answered. - What should be the focus of research efforts?
The focus should be on credible research efforts that explore legitimate potential preventable causes of and treatments for autism, rather than perpetuating debunked theories.
