Francis Collins Responds to COVID Vaccine Skeptic

[HRankin (Hillary Rankin)]

The Clergy Letter Project is an organization that was founded to show that numerous clergy from a variety of denominations have embraced evolutionary theory and find it harmonious with their religious faith. It is perhaps surprising, then, that Michael Zimmerman, the Founder and Executive Director of the The Clergy Letter Project, has written an article titled, Why I’ll not be Taking a Covid-19 Vaccine — and I’m a Scientist.

Zimmerman had the class and integrity to alert Francis Collins — BioLogos Founder and current Director of the National Institutes of Health — to the article. Francis replied to Zimmerman and both men gave us permission to publish his letter.

Francis Collins Responds to COVID Vaccine Skeptic - Post - BioLogos

[T_aquaticus]

From Zimmerman’s article:

Perhaps I’ve not been cynical enough, but despite the role of money in the drug development business, I’ve trusted the CDC and the FDA to make public health decisions based on data and on what’s in the best interest of the population of the United States.

Perhaps I’ve not been cynical enough, but I was convinced that collectively we learned something from the thalidomide disaster of the 1950s.
Why I’ll Not Be Taking a Covid-19 Vaccine — and I’m a Scientist | by Michael Zimmerman | Medium

It is worth noting that thalidomide was not approved by the FDA because they felt it wasn’t safe. The FDA saved a lot of Americans.

Back to Zimmerman:

But, for me, all of that has now changed. Actually, that’s not true. I still believe that the scientific method is one of the most important tools we have. I still believe that we need to make decisions based on data rather than opinion or wishes. I still believe in the power of science to progressively help us make sense out of the world.

What’s changed is that I, like so many others, no longer have any reason to trust either the CDC or the FDA.

I have no reason to believe that the decisions they are making are based on data.

I have no reason to believe that the decisions they are making are designed to protect and promote the health and well-being of people in this country.

Instead, I can only conclude that the leadership of both agencies have been thoroughly corrupted and are acting for political rather than scientific reasons.

Did Zimmerman use the scientific method to determine if the CDC and FDA are making bad decisions? I doubt it. I would suggest that Zimmerman use the very scientific method he is championing. Papers from phase I/II trials are already out if Zimmerman is interested.