Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently announced plans to expand access to experimental and alternative medical treatments, despite acknowledging the risk of charlatans taking advantage of vulnerable patients. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kennedy aims to make these treatments more easily available to Americans.
However, many experts have cautioned against loosening regulations on experimental or off-label treatments, citing the need for a balance between access and safety. Kennedy’s approach has raised concerns, particularly given his own history of spreading misinformation about vaccines and other health topics.
Kennedy referenced unproven therapies like chelation and stem cells as potential treatments that people should have easier access to. While stem cell medicine is a legitimate field of research, direct-to-consumer clinics often exaggerate their benefits, leading to serious complications and even fatalities.
Chelation therapy, which involves binding heavy metals in the body, can be effective for certain acute poisoning cases but is not suitable for “cleaning” people of supposed toxins. The FDA has warned against using chelation therapy for autism and unregulated stem cell treatments.
Kennedy acknowledged that some charlatans will take advantage of desperate patients, but he believes it’s inevitable and that relying solely on pharmaceutical companies won’t solve the problem. As he prepares to implement these changes, experts worry about the potential harm to vulnerable populations and the erosion of trust in approved medical treatments like vaccines.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/rfk-jr-is-opening-the-alternative-medicine-floodgates-2000611768