I am passionate about scientific integrity and accurate science communication. I have a PhD in Biochemistry and have taught at the college level for almost 25 years. Currently, at Fort Lewis College, I am teaching a National Institutes of Health-based “Responsible Conduct of Research” course and another one called “Communicating Your Research.”

You have likely heard that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running for president. You have also likely heard that he is “anti-vax.” However, Kennedy is not against vaccines. He doesn’t discount people who question the safety of vaccines; rather, he listens to them – he listens to everyone. I have started listening, too.

What do anti-vaxxers say? And why? Is there any scientific basis for their claims? After doing some research into vaccines, I see potential for concern because scientific integrity can be compromised where there are conflicts of interest. And conflicts of interest occur, where there is a lot of money to be made. To help people understand the benefits versus risks of vaccines, we need truthful communication from our public health agencies, and we need to see that these agencies operate independently of the pharmaceutical companies.

Saying Kennedy is “anti-vax” is name-calling that shuts down conversations and unjustly labels him something that he isn’t.

Christine Smith

Durango