Description
Science under siege (2025) by Michael E Mann and Peter Hotez, two eminent scientists, outlines the five most powerful forces threatening the essential protection science gives to our citizens and. to the countries we support around the world and offers suggestions as how we can fight back.
The United States, which has been the world leader in science and medicine for decades , is plummeting in this regard as well as in numerous other areas. The efficacy of vaccination is being questioned by people who have been placed in positions of authority to do so although they are completely unqualified by training.
Funding for critical scientific and health care research is being withheld, and scientists are losing their jobs and having to relocate to other countries. Major health agencies such as at the NIH, CDC, and FDA are being dismantled, losing their authority, with leaders being fired. Scientists at these institutions as well as at many universities are having their research grants withheld. Important research on cancer, and cardiovascular disease among others is being placed on hold due to inadequate funding. 12 million people are losing their health insurance. Climate is being ignored as a health issue despite the prodigious damages caused by devastating fires and flooding.
The Supreme Court has contributed to the health care problems with their decision in Dodd Vs Jackson; a decision that did not even consider or mention the danger their decision posed to women's health, increasing the risk by 100 % of mortality with pregnancy versus abortions. With the “shadow docket” they have given cryptic decisions approving the President’s ability to fire thousands of experienced and skilled government employees in the health care realm.
Weekly Topics
Week 1.Chapter 1. The 1,2,3 punch, Article “The power of physicians in dangerous times”
Week 2. Chapter 1. The 1,2,3 punch. Article, “ the role of public health agencies in creating vaccine policy”
Week 3. Chapter 2. The Plutocrats. Article, “ We did not get Covid right, but this is just wrong.”
Week4. Chapter 2. The Plutocrats. Article,” How the coronavirus sparked an epidemic of intellectual malpractice”
Week 5. Chapter 3 The Petrostates. Article, “ revised recommendations for Covid vaccines, U.S vaccination policy under threat.”
Week 6. Chapter 3. The Petrostates. Article “climate change and human health, a research agenda for action”
Week 7. Chapter 4. The Pros Article, “ preventive care at the supreme court”
Week 8. Chapter 4. The Pros Article –“The faulty logic behind the court’s failure to protect trans minors.”
Week 9. Chapter 5. The Propagandists Article, “Defining health care corporatization,”
Week 10. Chapter 5. The Propagandists Article The Health Equity, Medical, and Scientific Costs of Dismantling DEI”
Week 11 Chapter 6. The Press. Article “Who Will Care for America? Immigration Policy and the Coming Health Workforce Crisis.”
Week 12. Chapter 6. The Press. Article, “Health and Medical Research Funding in a Divided America — How to Increase Support”
Week 13. Chapter 7. The Path Forward. Article “Protecting Medicaid Enrollees with Chronic Conditions amid
Work Requirements.”
Week 14 Chapter 7. The Path Forward Article. “Disappearing Data at the U.S. Federal Government”
Science under Siege, Michael E Mann, Peter J Hotez , Hachette Book Club ,2025
Selected Articles
Suggested Length. 14. Weeks