Recent study by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on autism alarms medical community, aiming to investigate the “autism epidemic.” Concern arises as it may rekindle discredited vaccine-autism link, a previously supported notion by Kennedy. Study to involve hundreds of scientists, with expected findings by September.
Autism organizations and experts promptly responded to Kennedy’s statement. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network raised concerns about potential bias in the study aligning with Kennedy and Trump’s beliefs. They also criticized the health department’s alleged plan for “fraudulent research,” as per news agency AFP.
Doctors unequivocally state vaccines do not cause autism. French experts, including Hugo Peyre, a child psychiatrist, and Thomas Bourgeron, a geneticist, strongly refute Kennedy’s claims, citing solid scientific evidence. Bourgeron highlights that genetic mutations play a significant role in autism, with nearly 200 implicated genes identified.
According to WHO, autism rates, now at about 1%, have increased due to greater awareness and broader definitions, cautioning against labeling it an “epidemic” to avoid false alarms. Discredited theories can harm public health by lowering vaccination rates, exemplified in a recent US measles outbreak mainly affecting the unvaccinated.
Sources News From Various Digital Platforms, Websites, Journalists, And Agencies.
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