STAT: Leading immunology society sharply divided over Proposition 38

STAT reports that the American Association of Immunologists’ policy and advocacy committee recommended rescinding its endorsement after learning of the likely windfall for a research center co-founded by Gary Michelson. The association’s governing council retained the endorsement after meeting with Michelson.

Excerpt from STAT

SAN DIEGO — Internal emails obtained by STAT show that the American Association of Immunologists, the field’s leading scientific society, is sharply divided over California’s Proposition 38, even though it would provide $8.4 billion in taxpayer dollars for the type of research its members do.
The emails show that the association’s policy and advocacy committee met in July and later recommended that the organization rescind its endorsement of the measure after learning that Prop 38 would likely yield a windfall for a research center co-founded by the billionaire philanthropist who is its leading backer. But the association’s council, its governing body, voted in August to maintain the endorsement after meeting with the philanthropist, Gary Michelson.
—STAT, October 19, 2026