Among his latest targets is Donald Trump. Matteo Bassetti, director of the Infectious Diseases department at the San Martino Hospital in Genoa, criticizes him for his comments on the alleged correlation between the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and the development of autism. An expert communicator, Bassetti dismisses him as "confusion and misinformation." The infectious disease specialist spoke to Radar (on Videolina), discussing the crisis in the healthcare system. "It's at risk of blowing up."
Professor, let's start with politics and science. You call for respect for borders.
Unfortunately, there are some who are probably not happy with what they're doing. When politics so constantly invades the world of medicine and science, telling us how we should be treated, rather than what's harmful to our health, we're facing a dangerous short circuit.
The Trump-paracetamol case is the latest example. But there's much more, even in Italy.
"Of course. Just think of vaccinations or cancer treatment. I emphasize what I've said many times: medicine and science don't need democracy the way politics does."
And so those who talk big do it for consensus…
"I'll simplify. If something is right, it's right because a scientific study has established it, because the statistical power of an experimental study counts. Only that."
But politics decides in the end.
"Politics needs votes. We don't. It's unfortunate when politicians seek the votes of someone who is anti-science, anti-vaccine. In short, anti-medicine."
There must be a policy that defends science…
There's a bad policy, a 'heartfelt' one. We must stay away from it. When research isn't done, we live shorter lives. But it's especially the most fragile, the weakest, who live shorter lives. So the battle for science is a battle for all of us. Or rather, for all of you.
In Sardinia, we've had several cases of West Nile, some fatal. Prevention isn't just about avoiding mosquito bites...
