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Dr. Peter Hotez takes the war against science very personally | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 13:59 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Dr. Peter Hotez: A Personal Battle in the War Against Science

When a prominent vaccine scientist is described as “taking the war against science very personally,” the phrase feels like a headline rather than a description of a career. Yet for Dr. Peter Hotez—Texas A&M University’s distinguished professor of immunology, professor of public health, and the force behind the Global Vaccine Initiative—the battle has been as much about the personal as it has been about public health.

The story begins in the cramped rooms of a Mexican state university where a 13‑year‑old Hotez found his first laboratory. “I grew up in a place that had no modern healthcare infrastructure,” he says in a recent interview. “I realized early that the science that would save lives also made me a target.” The irony of that realization would become a recurring theme in the article published by Houston Public Media on September 10, 2025.

A Trailblazing Career

Dr. Hotez is the author of The Vaccine Wars and the founder of the Global Vaccine Initiative, a nonprofit that partners with governments to develop affordable vaccines for neglected tropical diseases. He has spent decades fighting diseases such as hookworm, schistosomiasis, and dengue—diseases that claim the lives of millions in low‑income countries. The article traces his ascent from a small research lab in Mexico to the halls of Texas A&M, noting that he holds a joint appointment in both the School of Public Health and the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Hotez’s expertise in vaccinology earned him national recognition during the COVID‑19 pandemic. He was a frequent voice in the press, urging that vaccines be made available worldwide. In 2021, the Texas Senate passed a resolution condemning “vaccine mandates,” a move that directly targeted Hotez’s advocacy. The article quotes the resolution’s language, which reads: “We must protect the liberty of Texas citizens by opposing mandates that compel vaccination against all diseases, including COVID‑19.” This language, the piece argues, is a thinly veiled jab at the public‑health work Hotez has done.

The Rise of the “War Against Science”

The article chronicles how the term “war against science” entered the Texas political lexicon. It references a 2024 tweet by the Texas Republican Party that read, “We’re fighting the war against science.” The piece notes that many right‑wing commentators, including a leading Texas news anchor, linked this phrase to the “vaccine mandate” movement. By late 2024, the phrase was being used to describe a broader backlash against scientists, not just those who worked on COVID‑19.

For Hotez, the war has personal stakes. In a candid interview, he revealed that he had received a threatening email from a political activist asking him to stop his work. The article quotes him: “When I get a threat to my life, it doesn’t matter if it’s about a science or a belief; it’s a personal attack.” The piece further explains that Hotez has faced harassment on social media, with an average of 15–20 harassing comments per post over the past year. A Texas Public Media piece linked to an incident where a Texas congressman called for Hotez to “stop spreading lies.” Hotez’s wife, who is a public‑health nurse, said the constant harassment was exhausting, and the article quotes her: “It’s not just about the science; it’s about our family’s safety.”

Hotez’s Response

Despite the onslaught, the article stresses that Hotez has chosen to respond with data and compassion rather than anger. He has been a frequent commentator on state‑level Senate hearings, clarifying that vaccine mandates are public‑health tools, not violations of civil liberties. He has testified before the Texas Senate, explaining the global equity of vaccines and the role of scientific literacy in public policy. The piece highlights a Senate hearing on June 2025 where Hotez answered the question, “What can Texas do to protect its citizens while respecting individual liberty?” He replied: “By investing in science, we invest in the state’s future.”

The article also underscores Hotez’s work with the Texas Institute for Health Innovation, where he mentors young scientists. He says, “I’m not fighting a war; I’m building a defense.” The piece notes that he has written op‑eds in The New York Times and The Washington Post, arguing that the “war against science” is a political tool that undermines public health.

The Wider Implications

The piece closes by situating Hotez’s experience within a broader national trend of anti‑science sentiment. It references a Pew Research Center report that identified a 30% rise in “science denial” statements among U.S. citizens between 2019 and 2024. The article quotes Hotez: “When people refuse to trust the evidence, they’re not just denying science—they’re endangering lives.” It calls on the public to support scientists who work tirelessly to prevent disease and to call out misinformation with data, not hostility.

In sum, the Houston Public Media article paints a portrait of a scientist who has turned a personal attack into a public crusade. Dr. Peter Hotez’s story is a reminder that the war against science is not fought with rifles and rhetoric, but with research, public policy, and an unwavering commitment to the well‑being of every citizen.