That of President-elect Donald Trump nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leading the Department of Health and Human Services has stunned some in the medical field, with one doctor saying the appointment was “crazy.”

Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, said he was not “anti-vaccine.” However, he has made numerous claims about vaccines that have been disputed by major health organizations. One of the widely debunked claims is that vaccines are linked to autism.

He also suggested that “fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease.” The American Dental Association said it maintains its recommendation that fluoride be added to tap water.

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The group said the study cited by Kennedy had “significant limitations,” that the review was not intended to demonstrate cause and effect, and that it only considered fluoride exposure at levels two times higher than those present in drinking water.

Dr. Pat Basu, a former White House adviser and Stanford physician, said Kennedy’s appointment to lead America’s top health agencies was “completely crazy.”

Basu cited a World Health Organization study report that modern vaccines have saved 154 lives across the world.

“Mr. Kennedy’s statements on vaccines are incredibly dangerous and could frankly reverse a century of progress,” Basu said. “They could take us back to 1924. Ultimately, vaccines are one of the greatest, safest and most effective inventions in modern history. They have saved more than 100 million lives over the last 50 years, half of which were infants.

Kennedy discussed reforming major health agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration. Kennedy declared that “the FDA’s war on public health is about to end.”

He alleged that the FDA was aggressively suppressing “psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, hyperbaric therapies, chelating compounds, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, vitamins, clean foods, sunlight , exercise, nutraceuticals and anything that improves human health and cannot be patented.” by Pharma.”

Basu acknowledged there were issues to be resolved, but said Kennedy was taking the wrong approach.

“The difference between necessary reform and extreme measures or proposals is vast,” he said. “Shutting down vaccination programs, shutting down the FDA because their job is to regulate drug manufacturers, let’s put it this way, we’re not talking about shutting down the Department of Defense because they have subcontractors to defense for purchases, right? So look, in typical conspiracy fashion, this is an attempt to tie a potential half-truth to a blatant lie.

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Basu cited the consumption of raw milk as an example of how dangerous Kennedy’s positions are.

“Drinking raw milk, the reason we banned it is because it can cause serious illness, serious diarrhea,” he said. “And unfortunately, the largest and most vulnerable populations are children and infants. So it’s dangerous to get rid of these public health initiatives, whether it’s raw milk consumption or nutrition programs. vaccination.”

A prominent Democrat behind Kennedy

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he was “delighted” that Trump nominated Kennedy to head HHS. Polis said he agreed with Kennedy that Health, Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration needed an overhaul. He also expressed optimism about Kennedy’s ability to take on big pharmaceutical companies.

Polis later released a statement clarifying his position that he supports vaccines and medical science more broadly.

“If we as a country followed the science, we would also be much more concerned about the impact of pesticides on public health, agricultural policy on nutrition, and the lack of access to prescription drugs due to of high drug prices This is why I support a major shake-up at institutions like the FDA, which have stood in the way of reducing drug costs and promoting healthy food choices.