Harvard’s public health dean pocketed $150,000 to testify against Johnson & Johnson in Tylenol lawsuits while simultaneously holding one of America’s most prestigious academic positions, raising serious questions about conflicts of interest in our elite institutions.
Story Highlights
- Harvard Dean Dr. Andrea Baccarelli received $150,000 as expert witness in Tylenol autism lawsuits
- Trump administration cited Baccarelli’s work in recent health warnings about acetaminophen
- Payment disclosure raises concerns about academic integrity and potential conflicts of interest
- Case highlights broader problem of elite institutions’ entanglement with high-stakes litigation
Academic Elite Cashes In on Lawsuit Industry
Dr. Andrea Baccarelli, Dean of Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, accepted $150,000 to serve as an expert witness in lawsuits alleging Tylenol causes autism and ADHD in children. The substantial payment demonstrates how America’s academic elite profit from the litigation industry while maintaining positions of public trust. Court filings revealed Baccarelli testified for plaintiffs suing Johnson & Johnson, claiming prenatal acetaminophen exposure links to neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
Harvard confirmed Baccarelli disclosed his expert witness work through internal procedures, though the university’s statement raises questions about whether adequate oversight exists for such lucrative side arrangements. The disclosure came only after court documents made the payment public, highlighting transparency concerns that plague elite academic institutions when their leaders engage in high-dollar consulting work.
Trump Administration Validates Concerns Over Tylenol Safety
The Trump administration recently cited Baccarelli’s research in health warnings about acetaminophen use during pregnancy, lending credibility to longstanding conservative concerns about pharmaceutical safety. This development underscores how academic research, potentially influenced by litigation interests, shapes federal health policy. The administration’s move validates parents’ rights to make informed decisions about medication use during pregnancy, free from pharmaceutical industry influence.
Johnson & Johnson has consistently defended Tylenol’s safety profile, arguing scientific evidence doesn’t support claims linking acetaminophen to autism or ADHD. The company’s position aligns with FDA guidance that continues to consider acetaminophen safe for pregnant women when used as directed. This dispute exemplifies ongoing tensions between trial lawyers seeking massive settlements and companies defending products with decades of established safety data.
Elite Institution Accountability Under Scrutiny
The revelation exposes broader problems with America’s elite universities, where administrators maintain public positions while pursuing private financial interests. Conservative taxpayers have long criticized these institutions for their lack of transparency and accountability. Baccarelli’s $150,000 payday raises legitimate questions about whether Harvard’s conflict-of-interest policies adequately protect the public trust invested in these prestigious positions.
Harvard Dean Was Paid $150,000 as an Expert Witness in Tylenol Lawsuits
The Trump admin has cited Dr. Andrea Baccarelli’s expertise to warn against using acetaminophen — the active ingredient in Tylenol — in pregnancy, based on an unproven autism link.https://t.co/daHRUiWz9c— Christi Givens (@ChristiGivens3) September 24, 2025
This case represents a pattern of elite academic institutions prioritizing financial opportunities over transparent governance. Harvard’s handling of the disclosure only after court filings made it public suggests these universities may be more concerned with protecting their reputation than ensuring genuine accountability to the American people who support their tax-exempt status.
Sources:
Harvard Dean Andrea Baccarelli Received $150000 as Expert Witness in Acetaminophen Lawsuits
Harvard dean cited in Trump’s Tylenol warning was paid
Donald Trump’s Tylenol–autism claim: What Harvard dean earned as expert witness in lawsuit
