Dr. Fauci on COVID, the Next Global Threat, and Scientific Integrity

Are we on the brink of another pandemic? Bioethicist Insoo Hyun of the Museum of Science and co-host Vardit Ravitsky of The Hastings Center sit down with Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a trusted adviser to seven U.S. presidents, including George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. Dr. Fauci reflects on the lessons of COVID-19, the threat of emerging pandemics, and the dangers of misinformation during a health crisis.

In this wide-ranging discussion, they examine how pandemics emerge, the role of zoonotic (animal-to-human) transmission, and the urgent need for public health preparedness to prevent future outbreaks like the H5N1 bird flu. Dr. Fauci shares insights on the scientific breakthroughs behind rapid vaccine development and discusses how public mistrust and misinformation have shaped global health responses. He also reflects on his decades-long work combating HIV/AIDS, including the launch of PEPFAR, emphasizing that scientific progress depends on public trust and equitable healthcare access. This compelling conversation reveals what past health crises have taught us—and how we can better prepare for the future.

Chapters
00:00: Introduction
00:34: Are We On The Verge of Another Pandemic?
03:47: Dr. Fauci on the Bird Flu
08:30: Balancing Individual Rights & Public Health in Interventions
10:40: How Do We Address Misinformation and How Do We Better Prepare
18:43: What Surprised Dr. Fauci During the COVID-19 Pandemic
21:55: Did We Emerge from the COVID-19 Pandemic with Less Public Trust
24:51: How the AIDS Epidemic Impacted Dr. Fauci
30:21: Science vs. Politics: Coping with the Clash
32:02: Dr. Fauci on Navigating Trust Amid Misinformation
33:51: Divided Values: When Saving Lives Isn't Universal
36:47: Dr. Fauci on Working with George W. Bush
42:44: What Inspires Dr. Fauci Now
44:27: Navigating Misinformation: Everyday Tips from Dr. Fauci
46:35: Dr. Fauci: Finding Peace Under Pressure
48:59: Dr. Fauci on Getting Infected with West Nile Virus
53:26: What's Next for Dr. Fauci

Insoo Hyun is Director of the Center for Life Sciences and Public Learning at the Boston Museum of Science, and an affiliate of the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School. He is joined by Vardit Ravitsky, President and CEO of the Hastings Center, who brings a global bioethics lens to this urgent conversation. Together, they highlight the delicate balance between individual freedoms and collective responsibility—offering a path forward built on transparent communication, science education, and respect for ethical values.

The Hastings Center is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization created from multiple disciplines, including philosophy, law, political science, and education. The Hastings Center was critical to establishing the field of bioethics in 1969 and has been evolving ever since. Founded by philosopher Daniel Callahan and psychoanalyst Willard Gaylin, The Hastings Center is the oldest independent, nonpartisan, interdisciplinary research institute of its kind in the world.

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