RFK Jr. defends $500M cut for mRNA vaccines with pseudoscience gobbledygook

The article discusses Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s comments regarding a proposed $500 million cut in funding for mRNA vaccine research. Kennedy, known for his controversial views on vaccines, is reported to have used "pseudoscience gobbledygook" to defend the budget reduction. The article suggests that Kennedy displayed a lack of understanding of the concept of "antigenic shift," which is a significant change in the genetic makeup of a virus that can lead to the emergence of a new strain. This term is commonly used in the context of influenza virus evolution, but the article implies that Kennedy misapplied it in his arguments. The article does not provide direct quotes or details about Kennedy's specific claims, but it clearly portrays his position as being unsupported by scientific evidence and undermining the importance of continued research into mRNA vaccine technology, which has proven to be a valuable tool in the fight against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.