RFK Jr. says he's following 'gold standard' science. Here's what to know

President Donald Trump and his Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., say they want the government to follow the “scientific gold standard.” Scientists say the problem is that these two often do the exact opposite by relying on preliminary studies, marginal science, or simply hunches to make claims, cast doubt on proven treatments, or even establish policy. Experts say gold standard science is objective, transparent, and evolves with new knowledge. Scientists say the process of marketing and recommending drugs and vaccines in the United States has until now generally relied on gold standard science.