Dr. Hotez's fight against anti-science is inextricably linked to his autistic daughter, Rachel. In the late 1990s, a now-retracted paper tied the MMR vaccine to autism. Dr. Hotez debunked the science in his book, Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel’s Autism. In addition to exploring the dynamic relationship he has with his daughter, the film will dive into Dr. Hotez’s roots, his ancestral ties to WW2 & the Holocaust, and the importance Judaism plays in his mission.

The film will explore the history of the anti-science movement, from misinformation campaigns in Communist Russia, to its link to the Nazis, to its current manifestations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, we’ll re-contextualize the often-forgotten backlash history’s most prominent thought leaders faced throughout their careers, including Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Dr.s Jonas Salk & Albert Sabin (creators of the Polio Vaccine).

There is a long, violent history linking antisemitism and anti-science forces. Dating back to the 14th century during the bubonic plague, Jews were persecuted as scapegoats across Europe. Today, the aggression continues; antisemitic attacks from far-right and anti-vaccine extremists put blame on the Jews for the COVID-19 pandemic while also claiming that the development of vaccines is an organized plot by Jews for global domination. In January 2021, Dr. Hotez received a Swastika in the mail, and his temple was also targeted. As a result, he now receives private security detail.

Few outside the medical community actually know how vaccines are made. With exclusive access to this prominent vaccine developer, The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science will pull back the curtain on the intricate and complex process of developing, testing, and distributing vaccines. Ultimately, the goal is to educate people about this rigorous and detailed scientific process.

The film will include voices from both sides of the political aisle, creating an opportunity for people on the far right to hear voices from the far right about the real impact anti-science is having on the lives of everyday Americans. Many have regrets about decisions made regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. According to Hotez, in 2021-22 approximately 200,000 people died because they refused the vaccine. This film will bridge the divide, giving a platform to hear stories from real people that were permanently impacted by misinformation.

The rise of anti-science across the world has implications far beyond vaccines. Anti-science is, undermining advances in other scientific disciplines - including biomedical sciences, gene editing, and climate change. And the effects are astonishing - each year, anti-science is responsible for the loss of thousands of lives. The film will explore the parallels found in other areas of science and the devastating potential of inaction.