Researchers express deep concern over Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s ambitious plan to determine the cause of autism by September. They argue this deadline is unrealistic and could jeopardize decades of ongoing research into this complex developmental disorder.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a continued rise in autism diagnoses, with one in 31 children aged 8 receiving an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in 2022. This increase is attributed to improved screening access.
Kennedy, a known vaccine critic, has long promoted the debunked theory that vaccines cause autism. His plan involves hundreds of scientists and aims to investigate environmental toxins as potential causes, contradicting established scientific consensus.
Leading scientists express skepticism about Kennedy's plan, citing its inherent unscientific approach. They compare this approach to the dangerous Lysenkoism era in the Soviet Union where genetics was suppressed. They worry that the research focus may shift to unfounded theories, undermining the credibility of established autism research.
The article highlights various ongoing autism research projects:
These projects emphasize the complexity of autism and the need for continued, rigorous research to fully understand its causes and develop effective treatments.