Peter Singer
@petersinger.bsky.social
Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto. Former Special Advisor to WHO Director General; Co-founder of Grand Challenges Canada and University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics. My blog: singerp.substack.com
Pinned
Peter Singer
@petersinger.bsky.social
· May 5
Opinion | How to Fill the America-Shaped Hole in Global Health Left by Trump (Gift Article)
The World Health Organization should do what it can do bring the U.S. back as a member.
www.nytimes.com
My New York Times guest essay published today www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/o...
Reposted by Peter Singer
This week I have written about what goes wrong when chatbots engage with people with poor mental health and how we should think about the problem.
Chatbots behaving badly, by @natashaloder open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Chatbots behaving badly, by @natashaloder open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Chatbots behaving badly
The world needs better insight on how LLMs are handling mental health crises
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:25 AM
This week I have written about what goes wrong when chatbots engage with people with poor mental health and how we should think about the problem.
Chatbots behaving badly, by @natashaloder open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
Chatbots behaving badly, by @natashaloder open.substack.com/pub/overmatt...
I am excited to be speaking at #SFWF25 on Friday November 21. Looking forward to fresh ideas as we explore solutions and diverse perspectives on social impact.
Join us online! Learn more at www.sfwf.org #SFWF2025 #SFWF
Join us online! Learn more at www.sfwf.org #SFWF2025 #SFWF
November 19, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I am excited to be speaking at #SFWF25 on Friday November 21. Looking forward to fresh ideas as we explore solutions and diverse perspectives on social impact.
Join us online! Learn more at www.sfwf.org #SFWF2025 #SFWF
Join us online! Learn more at www.sfwf.org #SFWF2025 #SFWF
As #COP11 gets underway, check out my conversation with Mark Tyndall and Derek Yach on tobacco harm reduction, Spoiler alert: they are not onside with the FCTC approach.
Check out my new post / podcast. Tobacco harm reduction: Can we overcome ideology to save 100 million lives? open.substack.com/pub/singerp/...
Tobacco Harm Reduction — with Derek Yach and Mark Tyndall
Can we overcome ideology to save 100 million lives?
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:18 PM
As #COP11 gets underway, check out my conversation with Mark Tyndall and Derek Yach on tobacco harm reduction, Spoiler alert: they are not onside with the FCTC approach.
“With tobacco, all of a sudden I’m like a pariah…” says harm reduction advocate Mark Tyndall. Watch the full podcast on tobacco harm reduction at singerp.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:36 AM
“With tobacco, all of a sudden I’m like a pariah…” says harm reduction advocate Mark Tyndall. Watch the full podcast on tobacco harm reduction at singerp.substack.com
Check out my new post / podcast. Tobacco harm reduction: Can we overcome ideology to save 100 million lives? open.substack.com/pub/singerp/...
Tobacco Harm Reduction — with Derek Yach and Mark Tyndall
Can we overcome ideology to save 100 million lives?
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Check out my new post / podcast. Tobacco harm reduction: Can we overcome ideology to save 100 million lives? open.substack.com/pub/singerp/...
Reposted by Peter Singer
The ostrich saga was for the birds. The decision to cull the big birds exposed to avian influenza was a good one and the histrionics unhelpful, by @picardonhealth.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com #H5N1
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com #H5N1
Opinion: The ostrich saga was for the birds
Government’s decision to cull 300 birds in B.C. was for the public good
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The ostrich saga was for the birds. The decision to cull the big birds exposed to avian influenza was a good one and the histrionics unhelpful, by @picardonhealth.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com #H5N1
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com #H5N1
“Culture eats strategy: Overcoming Canada’s productivity barrier”: My piece in today’s Globe and Mail.
Gift link www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/2be7b2e...
Gift link www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/2be7b2e...
Culture eats strategy: Overcoming Canada’s innovation barrier
Canada can shift its scientific culture to one that values both commercialization and research
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM
“Culture eats strategy: Overcoming Canada’s productivity barrier”: My piece in today’s Globe and Mail.
Gift link www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/2be7b2e...
Gift link www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/2be7b2e...
Reposted by Peter Singer
Amazing and intriguing story about mRNA covid vaccines potentially enhancing the response to immunotherapy in cancer.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/19/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/19/m...
mRNA Covid shots may boost the effects of certain cancer treatments, study suggests
The potential reasons that a Covid vaccine would help treat cancer are intriguing.
www.statnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Amazing and intriguing story about mRNA covid vaccines potentially enhancing the response to immunotherapy in cancer.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/19/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/19/m...
Remembering my dad on the 54th anniversary of his death. Read his survivor story here www.linkedin.com/posts/peter-...
October 22, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Remembering my dad on the 54th anniversary of his death. Read his survivor story here www.linkedin.com/posts/peter-...
Excellent plan with a huge blind spot: How will @who.int monitor (and respond to) militarization of health facilities by Hamas? There are reports that this is already happening. It’s a war crime under IHL and the Achilles heel of Gaza’s health system.
As the first phase of the ceasefire in #Gaza begins, the crisis is far from over. The delivery of aid needs to increase to help the people in need now. At the same time, we are looking further ahead to restore health, hope and dignity. Here is WHO’s 60-day ceasefire plan:
⏩ bit.ly/4nYk6JT
⏩ bit.ly/4nYk6JT
October 18, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Excellent plan with a huge blind spot: How will @who.int monitor (and respond to) militarization of health facilities by Hamas? There are reports that this is already happening. It’s a war crime under IHL and the Achilles heel of Gaza’s health system.
On now — join us online sciencesummitnyc.org/science-summ...
September 22, 2025 at 1:22 PM
On now — join us online sciencesummitnyc.org/science-summ...
Reposted by Peter Singer
So @petersinger.bsky.social and I just published a piece about the "$6 revolution" in generic GLP-1 drugs in Canada's @theglobeandmail.com.
You can also read the original, longer version, on our Substacks. (see below)
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
You can also read the original, longer version, on our Substacks. (see below)
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Canadians can benefit from tumbling prices on weight-loss drugs
Affordable semaglutide can improve the health outcomes for the more than 1 billion people living with obesity worldwide
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:40 PM
So @petersinger.bsky.social and I just published a piece about the "$6 revolution" in generic GLP-1 drugs in Canada's @theglobeandmail.com.
You can also read the original, longer version, on our Substacks. (see below)
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
You can also read the original, longer version, on our Substacks. (see below)
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Peter Singer
Happy to write this piece with @natashaloder.bsky.social. Canada is in a unique position as the only G7 country which will soon have no patent protections for GLP-1 drugs. The opportunities are humungous. Read more about what we think should happen www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/2be7b2e...
Canadians can benefit from tumbling prices on weight-loss drugs
Affordable semaglutide can improve the health outcomes for the more than 1 billion people living with obesity worldwide
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Happy to write this piece with @natashaloder.bsky.social. Canada is in a unique position as the only G7 country which will soon have no patent protections for GLP-1 drugs. The opportunities are humungous. Read more about what we think should happen www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/2be7b2e...
Happy to write this piece with @natashaloder.bsky.social. Canada is in a unique position as the only G7 country which will soon have no patent protections for GLP-1 drugs. The opportunities are humungous. Read more about what we think should happen www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/2be7b2e...
Canadians can benefit from tumbling prices on weight-loss drugs
Affordable semaglutide can improve the health outcomes for the more than 1 billion people living with obesity worldwide
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Happy to write this piece with @natashaloder.bsky.social. Canada is in a unique position as the only G7 country which will soon have no patent protections for GLP-1 drugs. The opportunities are humungous. Read more about what we think should happen www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/2be7b2e...
Reposted by Peter Singer
Canadians can benefit from tumbling prices on weight-loss drugs. Canada is in a unique position as the only G7 country where patent protection on semaglutide is about to lapse, by @petersinger.bsky.social @natashaloder.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: Canadians can benefit from tumbling prices on weight-loss drugs
Affordable semaglutide can improve the health outcomes for the more than 1 billion people living with obesity worldwide
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Canadians can benefit from tumbling prices on weight-loss drugs. Canada is in a unique position as the only G7 country where patent protection on semaglutide is about to lapse, by @petersinger.bsky.social @natashaloder.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com
Reposted by Peter Singer
The WHO listing is a step in the right direction. But it’s only advice to governments. Its indications are also pretty conservative: diabetes w/ heart or kidney disease or w/ obesity. WHO could speed up availability by pre-qualifying GLP-1 manufacturers and updating its clinical guidelines.
2/n
2/n
September 6, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The WHO listing is a step in the right direction. But it’s only advice to governments. Its indications are also pretty conservative: diabetes w/ heart or kidney disease or w/ obesity. WHO could speed up availability by pre-qualifying GLP-1 manufacturers and updating its clinical guidelines.
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Reposted by Peter Singer
Funding is also needed. @natashaloder.bsky.social & I outline several options for innovative finance for GLP-1 drugs and sketch the huge opportunity as the patent on semaglutide expires in many jurisdictions early next year. Check out our joint piece here: open.substack.com/pub/singerp/...
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The $6 revolution. How generic weight loss drugs could save millions of lives.
The arrival of generic semaglutide is an unheard of opportunity for global public health
open.substack.com
September 6, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Funding is also needed. @natashaloder.bsky.social & I outline several options for innovative finance for GLP-1 drugs and sketch the huge opportunity as the patent on semaglutide expires in many jurisdictions early next year. Check out our joint piece here: open.substack.com/pub/singerp/...
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Reposted by Peter Singer
On Sept 5th, @who.int listed GLP-1 drugs on its Essential Medicines List. This listing covers about 75% of the 2.1 m lives saved per year in the lower estimate of the model David Brook and I developed. See the details on the screenshot below from our preprint: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
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September 6, 2025 at 2:39 AM
On Sept 5th, @who.int listed GLP-1 drugs on its Essential Medicines List. This listing covers about 75% of the 2.1 m lives saved per year in the lower estimate of the model David Brook and I developed. See the details on the screenshot below from our preprint: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
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Reposted by Peter Singer
GLP-1 drugs have been on the Medicines Patent Pool priority list for a while. Time for the companies to come forward now @who.int labeled them essential @thirugeneva.bsky.social @medicinespatentpool.org
On Sept 5th, @who.int listed GLP-1 drugs on its Essential Medicines List. This listing covers about 75% of the 2.1 m lives saved per year in the lower estimate of the model David Brook and I developed. See the details on the screenshot below from our preprint: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
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September 6, 2025 at 5:55 AM
GLP-1 drugs have been on the Medicines Patent Pool priority list for a while. Time for the companies to come forward now @who.int labeled them essential @thirugeneva.bsky.social @medicinespatentpool.org
Reposted by Peter Singer
Now this is an interesting idea.
Funding is also needed. @natashaloder.bsky.social & I outline several options for innovative finance for GLP-1 drugs and sketch the huge opportunity as the patent on semaglutide expires in many jurisdictions early next year. Check out our joint piece here: open.substack.com/pub/singerp/...
3/n
3/n
The $6 revolution. How generic weight loss drugs could save millions of lives.
The arrival of generic semaglutide is an unheard of opportunity for global public health
open.substack.com
September 6, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Now this is an interesting idea.
On Sept 5th, @who.int listed GLP-1 drugs on its Essential Medicines List. This listing covers about 75% of the 2.1 m lives saved per year in the lower estimate of the model David Brook and I developed. See the details on the screenshot below from our preprint: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
1/n
1/n
September 6, 2025 at 2:39 AM
On Sept 5th, @who.int listed GLP-1 drugs on its Essential Medicines List. This listing covers about 75% of the 2.1 m lives saved per year in the lower estimate of the model David Brook and I developed. See the details on the screenshot below from our preprint: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
1/n
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I was happy to participate in this @yalesph.bsky.social video about science and society
Our vision is linking science and society, making public health foundational to communities everywhere.
We asked faculty, students, staff, and alumni to define this vision in their own words, as well as how they translate it into practice. Here's what they had to say.
We asked faculty, students, staff, and alumni to define this vision in their own words, as well as how they translate it into practice. Here's what they had to say.
Linking Science & Society
YouTube video by Yale School of Public Health
www.youtube.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I was happy to participate in this @yalesph.bsky.social video about science and society