### Kennedy Proposes Ban on Government Scientists Publishing in Leading Medical Journals

In a move that has sparked significant controversy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US health secretary, has proposed banning government scientists from publishing their research in some of the world's most prestigious medical journals. Speaking on the Ultimate Human podcast, Kennedy labeled journals like The Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) as "corrupt" and allegedly controlled by pharmaceutical interests.

Kennedy aims to establish alternative publications managed by the government, which he believes will gain prominence due to National Institutes of Health (NIH) backing. The journals under fire—The Lancet, NEJM, and JAMA—are globally recognized for their impact on medical research dissemination and collectively garner millions of visits annually.

Public health experts have raised concerns about Kennedy's proposal. Adam Gaffney, a researcher at Harvard Medical School, expressed alarm to the Washington Post, stating that restricting NIH-funded researchers to government-endorsed journals would undermine the credibility of taxpayer-funded research.

Kennedy's comments arrive in the wake of a White House report that challenges established vaccine consensus and suggests pharmaceutical companies have hindered comprehensive research into chronic diseases in children. This stance appears to echo long-standing concerns within the medical community about industry influence. Former NEJM editor Marcia Angell, back in 2009, voiced doubts on the reliability of clinical research due to pharmaceutical financial ties.

The broader scientific community is feeling the impact, as recent NIH budget cuts of over $3 billion and the removal of around 20,000 health department staff have led some American scientists to consider relocating overseas. Countries such as France, Germany, Spain, and China are reportedly looking to recruit these displaced experts.

Kennedy's push for state-run journals highlights ongoing tensions between the US government and the scientific and medical fields, as stakeholders debate the balance between academic freedom and potential financial conflicts of interest in medical research.