100 signatures reached
To: Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Bill Cassidy: Leadership of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Remove David Geier from Federal Autism Research
Dear Senators,
David Geier’s appointment to lead a federal autism research initiative is dangerous. We call on our representatives to evaluate this appointment carefully and stand with advocates in denouncing it.
Geier has a history of unethical and discredited practices, including promoting false environmental casual links to autism, using harmful and unapproved autism “treatments,” and running a sham review board for experiments on Autistic children. He does not hold a medical or scientific graduate degree and was previously sanctioned for practicing medicine without a license.
David Geier and his father, Dr. Mark Geier, promoted using and administering Lupron, a drug that halts puberty and reduces estrogen and testosterone, to “treat” autistic children. This approach was not scientifically supported, not approved by the FDA for autism, and potentially dangerous—Lupron is used to chemically castrate sex offenders. Multiple medical boards investigated their practices, and as a result Dr. Mark Geier lost his medical license in several states. Experts denounced the treatment as unethical, potentially harmful, and based on pseudoscience. Luperon can have serious side effects for children, like impaired growth, bone thinning, and hormonal imbalances.
Americans of all backgrounds, including Autistic voices, caregivers, professional support staff, educators, and therapists alike, have seen first hand how misinformation and unethical “treatments” can cause lasting harm. We believe that Autistic voices and ethical, evidence-based practices must be central in any initiative that affects our lives.
The appointment of someone with a record of discredited science and ethical violations undermines public confidence and raises serious concerns about the integrity of the initiative. It also signals a lack of commitment to scientific standards and the needs of Autistic people.
We must ask: Is this the right person to lead research that will impact thousands of lives?
We believe the answer is a firm, NO.
We urge you to review and reconsider this appointment. Any federally supported research effort on autism must be transparent, inclusive, and led by individuals with both scientific integrity and a commitment to the well-being of Autistic people.
We are calling on you to do the following:
- Ask why David Geier was appointed.
- What are his specific responsibilities and powers?
- Take a firm stand against the appointment of David Geier to lead Autism research.
- Call for public hearings on the appointment of David Geier.
- Demand robust ethical review of the proposed autism research planning.
- Insist on the involvement of autistic-led organizations in any research concerning our community.
Please stand with us to ensure this vulnerable population stays protected, and that the $50 Million in allocated funds for autism research goes to worthwhile, ethical, and properly administered studies.
Why is this important?
Regardless on your opinions of RFK, the American people deserve transparency, trust, and public accountability and David Greier is NOT the person to lead this study. Not only is he unqualified, but many of his research studies have also been retracted by the scientific community. AND he attempted to bypass laws by illegally creating his own board to approve his own research.
Federal research leaders shape funding priorities, influence public understanding, and affect long term public outcomes. We need to take action to prevent more harm to the Autistic community.
Federal research leaders shape funding priorities, influence public understanding, and affect long term public outcomes. We need to take action to prevent more harm to the Autistic community.
David Geier should be immediately replaced and removed from all autism research.
How it will be delivered
We would like to deliver the petition in-person in Washington D.C.
Help us make a strong impression by signing and sharing. Our first goal is 10,000+ signatures.
If we can get to that, we will begin booking our trip!