Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Wednesday that his department will be conducting studies on six environmental factors that could potentially lead to autism, as there has been an increase in confirmed cases of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
During a press conference, Kennedy stated, “We’re going to announce a series of new studies to identify precisely what the environmental toxins are that are causing [autism]. This has not been done before.”
Some of the factors to be examined include ultrasound scans, mold, pesticides, food chemicals, medicines, and air and water contamination.
Contrary to a recent CDC study attributing the rise in autism cases to improved early detection and awareness, Kennedy believes that environmental factors play a significant role in the increase.
The CDC study revealed that the prevalence of autism has increased, with one in 31 children under 8 being diagnosed, compared to one in 54 in 2016 and one in 150 in 2000. Boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.
Kennedy emphasized the urgency of addressing autism, stating, “Autism destroys families, and more importantly, it destroys our greatest resources, our children.”
He promised to unveil some of the study results by September, involving scientists from around the world in a massive testing and research effort.
Kennedy aims to lift the taboo around researching the environmental causes of autism and criticized the media for biased reporting. He believes that industries have profited from introducing environmental toxins that contribute to autism.
While Autism Speaks called for more investment in autism research, the Autism Society of America disputed the notion of an autism epidemic, attributing the increase in cases to improved diagnosis and the need for evidence-based policy decisions.
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