Dr Jonathan Gilthorpe
SWEDEN
“Transparency and safety should never be sacrificed in the name of urgency — these principles are the bedrock of true scientific and medical progress.”
Profession: Associate Professor of Experimental Neuroscience
Position: Dr Gilthorpe is an outspoken advocate for transparency in vaccine safety, questioning the rapid deployment of COVID-19 vaccines without comprehensive safety oversight. He underscores the importance of rigorous standards and public accountability in health policies that affect millions.
Background
Originally from the UK, Dr Gilthorpe holds a PhD in Developmental Biology (Anatomy) from University College London. He has over 30 years research experience and is now based at Umeå University in Sweden, where he specialises in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly ALS, applying his deep understanding of cellular and molecular biology to critical health issues.
Actions & Outcomes
Dr Gilthorpe co-authored a pivotal study identifying batch-dependent safety inconsistencies in the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, noting varying adverse event rates in Sweden and Denmark. His work has catalysed discussions on vaccine oversight, emphasising the need for evidence-based public health policies that prioritise safety and transparency
Current Status
Dr Gilthorpe remains active in his research at Umeå University, where he continues to advocate for transparency in vaccine safety and COVID-19 health policies. His efforts extend to ongoing public discussions and scientific collaborations that promote rigorous, evidence-based standards for public health interventions
Why this Lighthouse?
Dr Gilthorpe has chosen Stora Fjäderägg (Big Feather Egg), a lighthouse off the Swedish coast in the Gulf of Bothnia. This lighthouse was in operation from 1851 until 2008—the year Dr Gilthorpe moved to Umeå. It is located at the narrowest part of the gulf between Sweden (near Umeå) and Finland (Vasa), at a spot known as Kvarken (meaning “throat of the sea” in Finnish). Here, the Bothnian Bay meets the Bothnian Sea. The land in this area has gradually risen since the last ice age, and the island where the lighthouse stands first emerged from the sea around 2,000 years ago. Stora Fjäderägg symbolises a meeting point, offering hope for truth and reconciliation.
