Bill Gates drawn into controversy over tick engineering paper and meat allergy claims

A controversial academic paper proposing the genetic engineering of ticks to spread alpha-gal syndrome has triggered fierce online debate, with critics linking the research to wider claims involving Bill Gates and efforts to reduce meat consumption.

The paper, titled “Beneficial Bloodsucking” and published in the journal Bioethics, was authored by two professors from Western Michigan University School of Medicine and argues it could be “morally obligatory” to genetically modify ticks to increase the spread of alpha-gal syndrome — a condition that can cause severe allergic reactions to red meat.

A peer-reviewed paper published last year in the journal Bioethics by two professors at Western Michigan University School of Medicine argues that it is “morally obligatory” to genetically engineer ticks to spread alpha-gal syndrome, a permanent condition that makes you violently… pic.twitter.com/eyYecZaaXL

— TFTC (@TFTC21) May 13, 2026

Critics online have seized on the paper alongside remarks made by US Congressman Tim Burchett during a recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s show, where Burchett responded “It’s Bill Gates” during a discussion about tick-borne illnesses. Social media users have pointed to Gates’ investments in fake meat and previous funding of insect-related biotechnology projects.

Congressman Tim Burchett confirms on Joe Rogan that Bill Gates is behind the massive increase in ticks

Now we have a whistleblower who says pilots are being paid to drop ticks by aircraft

This matches accounts in America of tick boxes being found

“We are paid to spread ticks… pic.twitter.com/wnF0y62m59

— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) May 19, 2026

REPORT: Across America, farmers are reporting scenes straight out of a nightmare, mysterious boxes of ticks appearing on rural properties while infestations explode at levels many say they’ve never witnessed before.

Now those reports are colliding with documented Bill… pic.twitter.com/KZA4H362TT

— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) May 19, 2026