Hank Greely
@hankgreely.bsky.social
Stanford Law prof, working on ethical, legal, and social issues in the biosciences. Sports fan (especially Stanford sports). And strongly opposed to the illegal & immoral Russian invasion of Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!
Reposted by Hank Greely
This is a policy choice. As Dr. Gottlieb recently put the issue on CNBC: if we substantially reduce vaccination rates, "we're going to have to build new pediatric hospitals." www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8CJ...
Shifting many pediatric vaccines into the category of shared clinical decision-making means in many red states governors and legislators will be pressured to strip them from school-entry requirements. Vaccination rates could fall sharply with stark regional differences in protection against disease
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive
The number of recommended childhood shots drops from 17 to 11.
www.statnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:21 PM
This is a policy choice. As Dr. Gottlieb recently put the issue on CNBC: if we substantially reduce vaccination rates, "we're going to have to build new pediatric hospitals." www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8CJ...
Stanford Med School prof, public health scientist, and my neighbor explains why he'll continue moderate drinking, mainly wine with dinner.
www.statnews.com/2026/01/01/d...
Me, too. (And the occasional beer.) (And even a margarita, but only with Mexican food.)
www.statnews.com/2026/01/01/d...
Me, too. (And the occasional beer.) (And even a margarita, but only with Mexican food.)
Why I’m skipping Dry January
“As a public health scientist, I have learned that firm prescriptions rarely capture life’s complexity,” Robert M. Kaplan writes.
www.statnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Stanford Med School prof, public health scientist, and my neighbor explains why he'll continue moderate drinking, mainly wine with dinner.
www.statnews.com/2026/01/01/d...
Me, too. (And the occasional beer.) (And even a margarita, but only with Mexican food.)
www.statnews.com/2026/01/01/d...
Me, too. (And the occasional beer.) (And even a margarita, but only with Mexican food.)
Reposted by Hank Greely
Another institution capriciously demolished. Another sad day in America.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been dissolved, ending its 58 years as the primary funder for PBS, NPR and local TV and radio stations
Corporation For Public Broadcasting Is Dissolved After 58 Years Of Service
www.huffpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Another institution capriciously demolished. Another sad day in America.
Nice piece by my great Stanford colleague, @robertsapolsky1.bsky.social, on testosterone, aggression, and the fact that (wait for it) biology is complicated! www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/o...
Opinion | Testosterone Is Misunderstood
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Nice piece by my great Stanford colleague, @robertsapolsky1.bsky.social, on testosterone, aggression, and the fact that (wait for it) biology is complicated! www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/o...
Reposted by Hank Greely
Although some previously recommended vaccines moved to shared decision-making, it looks like at least the 2nd dose of HPV may have been removed entirely. Would appreciate hearing from experts about the effects of dose deletion on coverage, as CMS is saying there will be no coverage consequences.
Here’s the new schedule as released by HHS a little while ago.
January 5, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Although some previously recommended vaccines moved to shared decision-making, it looks like at least the 2nd dose of HPV may have been removed entirely. Would appreciate hearing from experts about the effects of dose deletion on coverage, as CMS is saying there will be no coverage consequences.
Reposted by Hank Greely
happy ‘i will reply to your email on my return’ day to all who celebrate
January 5, 2026 at 7:00 AM
happy ‘i will reply to your email on my return’ day to all who celebrate
Absolutely fascinating work about human origins and history, w/health implications, seriously threatened bec/Trump doesn't like the South African government and she has been collaborating with South African researchers.
Disgusting.
Disgusting.
Here's my latest contribution to the @nytimes "Lost Science" series. Brenna Henn's sweeping study of African genetics has been frozen. Gift link: nyti.ms/3Ypmm1A
January 5, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Absolutely fascinating work about human origins and history, w/health implications, seriously threatened bec/Trump doesn't like the South African government and she has been collaborating with South African researchers.
Disgusting.
Disgusting.
Reposted by Hank Greely
Here's my latest contribution to the @nytimes "Lost Science" series. Brenna Henn's sweeping study of African genetics has been frozen. Gift link: nyti.ms/3Ypmm1A
January 5, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Here's my latest contribution to the @nytimes "Lost Science" series. Brenna Henn's sweeping study of African genetics has been frozen. Gift link: nyti.ms/3Ypmm1A
Reposted by Hank Greely
ICYMI: Grading my 25 stem cell & regenerative medicine predictions for 2025 including gene therapy, peptides, RFK, etc. ipscell.com/2026/01/grad... Coming this week: 2026 predictions #stemcells #genetics #scicomm
Grading my 25 stem cell & regenerative medicine predictions for 2025 - The Niche
Stem cell biologist discusses how his regenerative medicine predictions for 2025 turned out and what was surprising.
ipscell.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:46 PM
ICYMI: Grading my 25 stem cell & regenerative medicine predictions for 2025 including gene therapy, peptides, RFK, etc. ipscell.com/2026/01/grad... Coming this week: 2026 predictions #stemcells #genetics #scicomm
Reposted by Hank Greely
Shifting many pediatric vaccines into the category of shared clinical decision-making means in many red states governors and legislators will be pressured to strip them from school-entry requirements. Vaccination rates could fall sharply with stark regional differences in protection against disease
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive
The number of recommended childhood shots drops from 17 to 11.
www.statnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Shifting many pediatric vaccines into the category of shared clinical decision-making means in many red states governors and legislators will be pressured to strip them from school-entry requirements. Vaccination rates could fall sharply with stark regional differences in protection against disease
Reposted by Hank Greely
The body blows to science, sense, and public health just keep coming.
Dark Age 2.0.
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c... via @statnews.com
Dark Age 2.0.
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c... via @statnews.com
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive
The number of recommended childhood shots drops from 17 to 11.
www.statnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:16 PM
The body blows to science, sense, and public health just keep coming.
Dark Age 2.0.
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c... via @statnews.com
Dark Age 2.0.
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c... via @statnews.com
Leaving aside what the hell "species" means, FWLIW (I'm a law prof, after all), I agree entirely. Barring nasty surprises, if we had Neanderthals walking around, we (and the law) should treat them as persons. Tho, of course, I fear we wouldn't. Shameless self-promo:
law.stanford.edu/2013/02/18/l...
law.stanford.edu/2013/02/18/l...
January 4, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Leaving aside what the hell "species" means, FWLIW (I'm a law prof, after all), I agree entirely. Barring nasty surprises, if we had Neanderthals walking around, we (and the law) should treat them as persons. Tho, of course, I fear we wouldn't. Shameless self-promo:
law.stanford.edu/2013/02/18/l...
law.stanford.edu/2013/02/18/l...
Reposted by Hank Greely
This @nytimes.com article on Neanderthal discoveries poses a surprisingly candid set of observations from João Zilhão, including a strong statement about their status as Homo sapiens. I agree completely with this. Neanderthals were not a different species from us.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/s...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/s...
The Year in Neanderthals
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:36 PM
This @nytimes.com article on Neanderthal discoveries poses a surprisingly candid set of observations from João Zilhão, including a strong statement about their status as Homo sapiens. I agree completely with this. Neanderthals were not a different species from us.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/s...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/s...
ICYMI, nice review by @markhumphries.bsky.social of the neuroscience events of 2025 medium.com/the-spike/20... All fascinating but I especially liked this—"[T]he long-awaited head-to-head of two of the major theories of consciousness: Global Workspace Theory versus Integrated Information Theory.
2025: A Review of the Year in Neuroscience
Enlightening the brain
medium.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:33 PM
ICYMI, nice review by @markhumphries.bsky.social of the neuroscience events of 2025 medium.com/the-spike/20... All fascinating but I especially liked this—"[T]he long-awaited head-to-head of two of the major theories of consciousness: Global Workspace Theory versus Integrated Information Theory.
Nice
"When the opera singer Marian Anderson performed a sold-out show in 1937 at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre..she was barred from staying at the segregated Nassau Inn next door to the campus. Tho they had never met before that day, Einstein offered her his home" www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
"When the opera singer Marian Anderson performed a sold-out show in 1937 at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre..she was barred from staying at the segregated Nassau Inn next door to the campus. Tho they had never met before that day, Einstein offered her his home" www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Albert Einstein’s Brilliant Politics
The physicist fought for the promise of a diverse, meritocratic America. We need his optimism today.
www.theatlantic.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Nice
"When the opera singer Marian Anderson performed a sold-out show in 1937 at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre..she was barred from staying at the segregated Nassau Inn next door to the campus. Tho they had never met before that day, Einstein offered her his home" www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
"When the opera singer Marian Anderson performed a sold-out show in 1937 at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre..she was barred from staying at the segregated Nassau Inn next door to the campus. Tho they had never met before that day, Einstein offered her his home" www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026...
Reposted by Hank Greely
First of my #BooksOf2026 and it’s a cracker. Or should I say a ‘Cricker’! @matthewcobb.bsky.social’s biography of Francis Crick is a propulsive and compelling portrait of a complex figure who towered over 20th century biology. Brims with insight. A superlative achievement.
January 4, 2026 at 11:24 AM
First of my #BooksOf2026 and it’s a cracker. Or should I say a ‘Cricker’! @matthewcobb.bsky.social’s biography of Francis Crick is a propulsive and compelling portrait of a complex figure who towered over 20th century biology. Brims with insight. A superlative achievement.
Reposted by Hank Greely
The Borg said resistance is futile too....
Dr. John Ioannidis: To Protect Science and Keep it Apolitical, We Must Not Resist MAHA. | Science-Based Medicine
Dr. John Ioannidis: To Protect Science and Keep it Apolitical, We Must Not Resist MAHA.
Posing as an wise, elder statesman, a neutral guardian of science, Dr. Ioannidis managed to pontificate mightily on COVID from a safe distance without ever being forced to acknowledge the tragic reali
sciencebasedmedicine.org
January 4, 2026 at 6:28 PM
The Borg said resistance is futile too....
Apropos of nothing special, I found a great volcano site today by the Smithsonian Institute: volcano.si.edu/gvp_currente... It lists, w/links, all 45 volcanoes w/"continuing eruptions", no quiet stretches of more than 30 days. Yasur in Vanuatu has been erupting continuously since an est. 1270!
Cool!
Cool!
Global Volcanism Program | Current Eruptions
There are 45 volcanoes with continuing eruptions as of the Stop Dates provided, and as reported through 30 December 2025. Although detailed statistics are not kept on daily activity, generally there a...
volcano.si.edu
January 4, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Apropos of nothing special, I found a great volcano site today by the Smithsonian Institute: volcano.si.edu/gvp_currente... It lists, w/links, all 45 volcanoes w/"continuing eruptions", no quiet stretches of more than 30 days. Yasur in Vanuatu has been erupting continuously since an est. 1270!
Cool!
Cool!
I have mixed reactions to @davidfrum.bsky.social's work, but I'm feeling dimwitted about this one
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
After a bit on the pro-Trump side's reaction to the Venezuela operation, he has 6 ¶s starting "Bec/the anti-Trump side" does X. He closes w/a paragraph that starts
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
After a bit on the pro-Trump side's reaction to the Venezuela operation, he has 6 ¶s starting "Bec/the anti-Trump side" does X. He closes w/a paragraph that starts
Trump’s Critics Are Falling Into an Obvious Trap
The capture of Nicolás Maduro is a show of ambition that calls for an effective response.
www.theatlantic.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:46 PM
I have mixed reactions to @davidfrum.bsky.social's work, but I'm feeling dimwitted about this one
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
After a bit on the pro-Trump side's reaction to the Venezuela operation, he has 6 ¶s starting "Bec/the anti-Trump side" does X. He closes w/a paragraph that starts
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
After a bit on the pro-Trump side's reaction to the Venezuela operation, he has 6 ¶s starting "Bec/the anti-Trump side" does X. He closes w/a paragraph that starts
Reposted by Hank Greely
On the question regarding opposition leader María Corina Machado Trump responded:
„I think it would be tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country.“
What a slap for Machado. It appears that different plans have been made.
„I think it would be tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country.“
What a slap for Machado. It appears that different plans have been made.
January 3, 2026 at 5:47 PM
On the question regarding opposition leader María Corina Machado Trump responded:
„I think it would be tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country.“
What a slap for Machado. It appears that different plans have been made.
„I think it would be tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country.“
What a slap for Machado. It appears that different plans have been made.
ICYMI, cool @carlzimmer.com story from late November about progress in understanding interoception. A crucial sixth sense, well explored. (As Carl always does.) What I find so amazing is how much important stuff seems to go w/o us having any conscious awareness of it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/s...
Mapping the Sense of What’s Going On Inside
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:41 AM
ICYMI, cool @carlzimmer.com story from late November about progress in understanding interoception. A crucial sixth sense, well explored. (As Carl always does.) What I find so amazing is how much important stuff seems to go w/o us having any conscious awareness of it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/s...
The Trump Admin is screwing around w/Harvard. Again. I'm not an unqualified fan of Harvard (although its president, Alan Garber, is a long time friend and a GOOD person), but I do hope they keep resisting these would be mafia bosses, for Harvard's sake & all of ours
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/u...
In Private Letters, Harvard and Trump Administration Escalate Duel
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:34 AM
The Trump Admin is screwing around w/Harvard. Again. I'm not an unqualified fan of Harvard (although its president, Alan Garber, is a long time friend and a GOOD person), but I do hope they keep resisting these would be mafia bosses, for Harvard's sake & all of ours
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/u...
Important human genetics research may disappear bec/...its fifth year renewal didn't get done before the Administration decided to fund NO collaborations with South Africa. Tho the fact that it was about human genetic "diversity" probably didn't help.
Disgusting.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/s...
Disgusting.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/s...
She Wanted to Improve Genetic Medicine
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:23 AM
Important human genetics research may disappear bec/...its fifth year renewal didn't get done before the Administration decided to fund NO collaborations with South Africa. Tho the fact that it was about human genetic "diversity" probably didn't help.
Disgusting.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/s...
Disgusting.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/s...
Reposted by Hank Greely
the body is up to 1m wide, the arms grow up to 10m long.
so they're big, but a lion's mane jellyfish body can be twice the diameter, and they don't have arms, but their tentacles can grow more than 30m long. (lion's mane jellyfish can also be just a few inches, they're not all giants)
so they're big, but a lion's mane jellyfish body can be twice the diameter, and they don't have arms, but their tentacles can grow more than 30m long. (lion's mane jellyfish can also be just a few inches, they're not all giants)
January 2, 2026 at 6:54 AM
the body is up to 1m wide, the arms grow up to 10m long.
so they're big, but a lion's mane jellyfish body can be twice the diameter, and they don't have arms, but their tentacles can grow more than 30m long. (lion's mane jellyfish can also be just a few inches, they're not all giants)
so they're big, but a lion's mane jellyfish body can be twice the diameter, and they don't have arms, but their tentacles can grow more than 30m long. (lion's mane jellyfish can also be just a few inches, they're not all giants)
Reposted by Hank Greely
Wikipedia is truly one of the greatest things on the Internet. It is absolutely incredible, and must be preserved at all costs.
January 1, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Wikipedia is truly one of the greatest things on the Internet. It is absolutely incredible, and must be preserved at all costs.