The federal government’s recent decision to appoint David Geier, a well-known vaccine skeptic, to lead a study on the alleged link between vaccination and autism has sparked widespread concern. According to a report by The Washington Post, Geier’s appointment is a clear indication that the country’s public health agenda is being misguided, particularly under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Washington Post initially broke the news on Tuesday, citing anonymous current and former federal health officials. Geier has a history of releasing flawed and discredited research, often advocating against vaccination. His hiring raises concerns about the direction of the country’s public health policy, which is now led by Kennedy. News of the federal government’s planned study into vaccines and autism first emerged in early March, with the CDC initially expected to lead the research at the behest of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

However, in recent weeks, HHS reportedly changed its approach and instructed the National Institutes of Health to conduct the study instead. Geier’s appointment to lead the analysis has been confirmed, and his name can be found on the agency’s employee directory, where he is listed as a senior data analyst. When briefly interviewed by The Washington Post, Geier declined to confirm his role in the study, directing questions to those in charge. Gizmodo has reached out to HHS for comment but has not received a response yet.

Like HHS chief RFK Jr., Geier has a long history of supporting the anti-vaccination movement, often alongside his father, Mark Geier. The Geiers have released research claiming to show the dangers of vaccination, focusing on the link between mercury-based ingredients in vaccines and autism. This research has been cited by Kennedy in his attacks against vaccines.

Mark Geier has also served as an expert witness in federal court cases involving alleged “vaccine injuries,” but has been barred from doing so in some cases due to his questionable credentials. The Geiers have created and profited from the sale of autism treatments supposed to help people damaged by mercury. Despite the lack of evidence, they continue to promote their theories.

It is essential to note that the vast majority of studies examining the issue have found no connection between autism and vaccines or their ingredients. The Geiers’ research has been criticized by scientists for misinterpreting data to support their agenda, and their studies have occasionally been retracted. Mark Geier has scientific training as a physician and geneticist, but David Geier only has a bachelor’s degree in biology.

In 2011, the Maryland State Board of Physicians suspended and later revoked Mark Geier’s license to practice medicine in the state over allegations of mistreating autistic patients. David Geier was also charged with practicing medicine without a license, alleging that he misrepresented himself as a doctor to his father’s patients. Geier claimed his role in the practice was administrative.

RFK Jr. assured critics that he would acknowledge the scientific evidence showing that vaccines don’t cause autism. However, Kennedy has a track record of ignoring this evidence, even dismissing it during a Senate hearing prior to his confirmation. Geier’s hiring is a strong indicator that the discovery process will be biased in favor of the anti-vaccination movement.