US ends case against doctor over alleged Covid vaccine scheme
Michael Kirk Moore, a plastic surgeon in the western state of Utah, was charged by the Department of Justice in 2023 alongside his clinic and three others for "running a scheme" to defraud the government.
He was accused of destroying or disposing of over $28,000 worth of government-provided Covid vaccines and handing out at least 1,937 false vaccine record cards in exchange for payment.
Moore, who faced decades behind bars, was also accused of administering a saline solution to children -- at the behest of their parents -- so that they would think they had been vaccinated against Covid.
Moore's trial began this week at a federal court in Salt Lake City.
But on Tuesday, Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump's most vocal hard-right supporters, said she had written to Bondi calling for charges against Moore to be dropped.
"Dr. Moore gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so. He did not deserve the years in prison he was facing. It ends today," Bondi wrote on X.
Bondi's decision also notably comes as she faces fire from right-wing activists over her handling of a probe into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
She thanked Greene and Utah Senator Mike Lee, another hard-right lawmaker, for their advocacy for dropping charges against Moore.
The Covid-19 pandemic sparked fierce political division in the US between those who supported lockdowns and vaccination drives, and those who considered the measures as restrictions on freedom.
Trump, himself vaccinated against Covid-19, has appointed as his Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has initiated an overhaul of American vaccine policy.
Kennedy said Moore "deserves a medal for his courage and commitment to healing," in an X post in April.
At the end of May, Kennedy announced that federal authorities would no longer recommend Covid-19 jabs for children and pregnant women, prompting accusations from medical groups that he was taking away parents' ability to opt for vaccinations.
Kennedy has been accused of spreading vaccine misinformation, including about the measles vaccine, even as the US grapples with its worst measles epidemic in 30 years.
© 2025 AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
19 hours ago
- France 24
US ice cream makers to scoop out synthetic dyes under RFK Jr. push
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), which includes over 40 top ice cream brands, said its members would stop using petroluem-derived synthetic colorings by the end of 2027. These chemicals have been linked in studies to conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal issues, and genomic disruption, yet serve no nutritional or functional purpose beyond cosmetic coloring, health advocates have long argued. "I'm particularly happy to be here today because this is relevant to my favorite food, which is ice cream," Kennedy said at a press event, lauding the dairy industry for its actions. "This is a great day for dairy and it's a great day for Make America Healthy Again," added the IDFA's President and CEO Michael Dykes, referencing Kennedy's MAHA slogan that is a play on President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" or MAGA. Andy Jacobs, CEO of Turkey Hill, said many commercial ice cream manufacturers had already phased out artificial colors or were in the process of doing so. "By taking this step now, ice cream manufacturers are ensuring that ice cream remains a special part of our lives as consumer preferences change and the nation's regulatory priorities evolve," he said. Industry data shows Americans consume roughly 19 pounds (8.6 kg) of ice cream a year. The frozen treat plays a major economic role -- contributing an estimated $12 billion to the economy and supporting more than 27,000 dairy industry jobs. In April, Kennedy announced plans to revoke authorization for two synthetic dyes and to "work with industry" to eliminate six more -- an approach critics dismissed as too soft and overly reliant on voluntary action. The Food and Drug Administration, in one of its final acts under president Joe Biden, had already finalized a rule to ban Red Dye No. 3, one of the most widely used and controversial colorings. Yet there are signs that Kennedy's peer-pressure strategy is yielding some results. Major food manufacturers including Nestle, Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and PepsiCo have already signed on to ditch artificial dyes. Kennedy on Monday said between "35 and 40 percent" of the food industry has now pledged to make the shift. But key holdouts remain -- notably candy giants like Mars, which makes M&M's and Skittles -- in the absence of binding federal regulation. The ice cream makers' pledge pushes past Kennedy's original target of end-2026, giving companies an extra year to adjust their supply chains.
Sustainability Times
a day ago
- Sustainability Times
'Not a Single Mistake': World's First Autonomous Surgical Robot Completes Complex Procedure With 100% Accuracy and Zero Human Intervention
IN A NUTSHELL 🤖 The SRT-H robot, developed at Johns Hopkins University, performed a successful gallbladder surgery with human-like precision. robot, developed at Johns Hopkins University, performed a successful gallbladder surgery with human-like precision. 📚 Trained on surgical videos, the robot can learn and adapt in real-time, enhancing its ability to handle complex procedures. in real-time, enhancing its ability to handle complex procedures. 🛠️ Equipped with machine learning technology similar to ChatGPT, SRT-H responds to voice commands and adjusts based on feedback. technology similar to ChatGPT, SRT-H responds to voice commands and adjusts based on feedback. 🔍 While not yet used on human patients, the robot's success in trials points to a future of autonomous surgery with minimal human oversight. In a groundbreaking development, an autonomous robot has performed a surgery with remarkable precision, moving us closer to an era where the only human presence in the operating room might be the patient. This achievement marks a significant milestone in medical robotics, showcasing the potential for machines to conduct complex procedures independently. The robot, trained by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, has demonstrated its ability to perform a gallbladder removal surgery with a level of skill comparable to experienced surgeons. This not only underscores the robot's capabilities but also highlights the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The Rise of SRT-H: A New Era in Surgical Robotics Named SRT-H (Surgical Robot Transformer-Hierarchy), this robot represents a leap beyond traditional surgical robots. Unlike its predecessors, SRT-H is not limited to executing pre-programmed tasks. Instead, it can respond and learn in real-time, adapting to the unpredictable nature of surgical procedures. This ability is a game-changer, as it allows the robot to navigate the complexities of surgery with a level of autonomy previously unattainable. The robot's training involved analyzing videos of surgical operations, enabling it to internalize and replicate the steps involved in a gallbladder removal procedure. During its trials, SRT-H successfully completed the surgery multiple times on a realistic human-like model, closely mimicking the intricacies of human tissue. This accomplishment is a testament to the robot's ability to perform tasks such as identifying ducts and arteries, applying clips, and using scissors with surgical precision. 'This Solar Ship Is the Future of River Travel,' Declares Visionary Engineer as 192 Sun-Powered Panels Drive the World's First Inland Marvel Understanding the Technology Behind SRT-H At the core of SRT-H's capabilities lies an advanced machine learning architecture, akin to the technology that powers AI systems like ChatGPT. This allows the robot to process voice commands from medical staff, making it a valuable assistant in the operating room. The robot's ability to adjust its actions based on real-time feedback is crucial for addressing unexpected challenges during surgery. The significance of this advancement is underscored by comments from medical roboticist Azwl Krieger, who highlighted the robot's transition from performing isolated tasks to truly understanding surgical procedures. This transformation is pivotal in creating autonomous surgical systems that are viable in real-world clinical settings, where unpredictability is the norm. 'This Ship Shouldn't Exist': Japan's Shocking Launch of World's First Dual LCO2 and Methanol Supercarrier Redefines Everything Real-World Implications and Future Directions While the SRT-H robot has achieved remarkable success in controlled environments, it is not yet ready for use on actual human patients. Nonetheless, its performance in trials provides a glimpse into the future of surgery, where robots could perform procedures with minimal human intervention. The development team envisions a future where SRT-H and similar robots are trained to conduct a wide range of surgeries, further reducing the need for human oversight. As Ji Woong 'Brian' Kim, a key figure in the development of SRT-H, noted, the reliability of AI models for surgical autonomy is now demonstrable. This progress opens up new possibilities for enhancing surgical precision and safety, potentially revolutionizing patient care by minimizing human error and improving outcomes. 'This Defies Everything We Knew': Sun-Powered Sponge Turns Saltwater Into Freshwater Without Using a Single Watt of Electricity Challenges and Ethical Considerations Despite the promising advancements, several challenges and ethical considerations remain. The transition from controlled models to live human surgeries involves significant scrutiny and regulatory approvals. Moreover, the reliance on autonomous systems raises questions about accountability and the role of human surgeons in the decision-making process. As the field of surgical robotics continues to evolve, it is crucial to address these ethical complexities while ensuring that technological advancements align with the principles of patient safety and care. The journey toward fully autonomous surgical robots will require ongoing collaboration between engineers, medical professionals, and ethicists to navigate these challenges responsibly. As we stand on the brink of a new era in healthcare, the question remains: How will the integration of autonomous robots in surgery reshape the landscape of medical practice, and what implications will it have for the future of patient care? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.2/5 (24)
France 24
3 days ago
- France 24
US ends case against doctor over alleged Covid vaccine scheme
The abrupt halt to proceedings comes just days after the trial commenced, and is the latest boost to the vaccine-skeptic movement from President Donald Trump's administration. Michael Kirk Moore, a plastic surgeon in the western state of Utah, was charged by the Department of Justice in 2023 alongside his clinic and three others for "running a scheme" to defraud the government. He was accused of destroying or disposing of over $28,000 worth of government-provided Covid vaccines and handing out at least 1,937 false vaccine record cards in exchange for payment. Moore, who faced decades behind bars, was also accused of administering a saline solution to children -- at the behest of their parents -- so that they would think they had been vaccinated against Covid. Moore's trial began this week at a federal court in Salt Lake City. But on Tuesday, Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump's most vocal hard-right supporters, said she had written to Bondi calling for charges against Moore to be dropped. "Dr. Moore gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so. He did not deserve the years in prison he was facing. It ends today," Bondi wrote on X. Bondi's decision also notably comes as she faces fire from right-wing activists over her handling of a probe into the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. She thanked Greene and Utah Senator Mike Lee, another hard-right lawmaker, for their advocacy for dropping charges against Moore. The Covid-19 pandemic sparked fierce political division in the US between those who supported lockdowns and vaccination drives, and those who considered the measures as restrictions on freedom. Trump, himself vaccinated against Covid-19, has appointed as his Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has initiated an overhaul of American vaccine policy. Kennedy said Moore "deserves a medal for his courage and commitment to healing," in an X post in April. At the end of May, Kennedy announced that federal authorities would no longer recommend Covid-19 jabs for children and pregnant women, prompting accusations from medical groups that he was taking away parents' ability to opt for vaccinations. Kennedy has been accused of spreading vaccine misinformation, including about the measles vaccine, even as the US grapples with its worst measles epidemic in 30 years. © 2025 AFP
