Antiscience in the United States: Historical Frameworks and Current Threats to Biomedicine
This activity has been archived and credit is no longer available.
In this presentation, Dr. Peter Hotez and Dr. Sheldon Rubenfeld discuss the antiscience movement that has gained traction in the United States over the last several decades and how it affects biomedical research and breakthroughs now. Dr. Rubenfeld reviews the history of the United States eugenics movement and structural racism that have stifled medical research and led to medical mistrust. Dr. Hotez discusses how the current antiscience movement is linked to far-right political extremism, has gained legitimacy, and poses a threat to global health advances.
This Department of Medicine Grand Rounds session took place on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at 12:15 p.m.
Activity Information
This activity has been archived and credit is no longer available.
Needs Statement
Faculty and trainees within the Department of Medicine who are involved in the care of patients need to receive regular updates on recent advances and guidelines in the field of internal medicine. Clinical scenarios will be used to review the current management of common medical conditions, including chronic pain and opioid abuse. Multidisciplinary sessions will be also used to educate learners about human trafficking and the role of physicians in identifying and assisting victims in the community. The overall aim of the series is to advance clinical knowledge, enhance the quality of patient care, and improve treatment outcomes.
Educational Objectives
At the conclusion of the session, the participants should be able to:
- Summarize the impact of neglected tropical diseases and COVID-19 among unvaccinated populations in the United States and globally.
- Recognize global failures or weaknesses in vaccinating the populations of low-income and middle-income countries, especially in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
- Review the experience with the Texas Children’s Hospital recombinant protein vaccine now in use in India where it is known as Corbevax.
- Discuss the origins of rising antiscience sentiments in the United States and their recent shift to an antivaccination focus.
- Promote strategies to counter antiscience activities, especially related to vaccination misinformation.
Target Audience
Professional Categories
- Physicians
- Medical Students
- Fellows
- Residents
Specialties
- Internal Medicine
Interest Groups
- Ethics
Accreditation/Credit Designation
Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Baylor College of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity has been designated by Baylor College of Medicine for 1 credit of education in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.
Activity Director
Term of Approval
October 1, 2022 through October 31, 2024. Original release date: October 1, 2022.
Disclosure Policy
Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. BCM is committed to sponsoring CE activities that are scientifically based, accurate, current, and objectively presented.
In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, BCM has implemented a mechanism requiring everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity (i.e., directors, planning committee members, faculty) to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests (drug/device companies) and manage/resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. Individuals must disclose to participants the existence or non-existence of financial relationships at the time of the activity or within 24 months prior.
In addition, BCM has requested activity faculty/presenters to disclose to participants any unlabeled use or investigational use of pharmaceutical/device products; to use scientific or generic names (not trade names) in referring to products; and, if necessary to use a trade name, to use the names of similar products or those within a class. Faculty/presenters have also been requested to adhere to the ACCME's validation of clinical content statements.
BCM does not view the existence of financial relationships with commercial interests as implying bias or decreasing the value of a presentation. It is up to participants to determine whether the relationships influence the activity faculty with regard to exposition or conclusions. If at any time during this activity you feel that there has been commercial/promotional bias, notify the Activity Director or Activity Coordinator. Please answer the questions about balance and objectivity in the activity evaluation candidly.
All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.
Disclosures
The following individual(s) has/have reported financial or other relationship(s) with commercial entities whose products/services may relate to the educational content of this activity:
Presenters
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Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.
Dean, National School of Tropical Medicine | Professor. Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology | Chief, Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Disclosure:
Nothing to disclose.
-
Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D.
Clinical Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Disclosure:
Nothing to disclose.
Activity Director
Planning Committee Members
-
-
Richard J. Hamill, M.D.
Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Disclosure:
- Advisory Committee Membership: Moderna TX, Inc. (Chair, Adjudication Committee)
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Kristen Lavere, M.D.
Internal Medicine Resident
Baylor College of Medicine
Disclosure:
Nothing to disclose.
-
Zaven Sargsayan, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Baylor College of Medicine and Ben Taub Hospital
Disclosure:
Nothing to disclose.
-
Stephanie Sherman, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Disclosure:
Nothing to disclose.
Health Topics
Presenters:
Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.
Dean, National School of Tropical Medicine | Professor. Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology | Chief, Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine Baylor College of Medicine