Peter Marks has resigned from his position at the FDA, citing a troubling shift under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In his resignation letter, Marks expressed concerns about a lack of commitment to truth and transparency within the agency. He criticized Kennedy for seeking only confirmation of misinformation, rather than fostering an environment of scientific integrity.
Marks, who has been with the FDA since 2012, played a crucial role in overseeing vaccines and ensuring their safety and effectiveness. His departure, effective April 5, comes amid significant changes at HHS, where Kennedy is restructuring the department and eliminating thousands of jobs. An unnamed official from HHS indicated that Marks was likely pushed out because he did not align with Kennedy’s agenda, which includes a controversial approach to vaccine research and public health.
Kennedy has announced plans to cut the HHS workforce from 82,000 to 62,000, claiming the agency is bloated with unnecessary departments. He emphasized that the focus will remain on retaining scientists and frontline providers while improving efficiency and accountability.
As part of his new direction, Kennedy has also indicated that the National Institutes of Health will halt funding for research into vaccine hesitancy, and the CDC will investigate potential links between vaccinations and autism. These moves have sparked concerns among public health advocates about the future of scientific research and public health policy in the U.S.
Marks concluded his letter with a hope that the ongoing challenges to scientific truth will eventually come to an end, signaling a potential clash between traditional public health values and the new leadership at HHS.