Robert F Kennedy Jr. (RFKJr.)recently said that he’s aiming to know the cause of the “autism epidemic” by September, and will be able to “eliminate those exposures” that he says are behind the condition. This and other statements lay bare the embarrassing ignorance of RFKJr. as it contains a surprising number of errors:
- There is no epidemic of autism. The figures he likes to quote are hugely inflated. According to a meta-analysis, 0.77% of children globally are diagnosed with ASD, with boys comprising 1.14% of this group. Notably, Australia showed the highest prevalence rate, with an effect size of 2.18, highlighting it as a critical area for public health focus. The increase observed by many is largely due to a widening of diagnostic criteria.
- He presupposes that autism is due to some type of exposure (he claimed: “We know it’s an environmental exposure.”). However, this is far from proven and several other possibilities exist; most experts think that a genetic predisposition is the most important factor.
- Even if he can identify an exposure, it is unclear that and how he might eliminate it.
- To do the necessary research by September is not realistic.
RFKJr. has hired another pseudo-scientist, David Geier, to conduct the research. If they approached the subject rationally, they would start by looking what research has already been done. Few areas of inquiry are more active that research into autism (Medline currently lists ~ 84 ooo papers on the subject).
Here are some examples of conclusions from recent meta-analyses showing subject areas where research might yield relevant findings and those that are likely to be dead ends:
Probable dead ends
- For children, strength of evidence was high for no increased risk of autism following measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
- Our study provides evidence that in utero exposure to ADHD medications does not increase the risk of long-term neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. This study replicates safety data for methylphenidate and extends it with new safety data on amphetamines and atomoxetine. These findings are crucial for informing clinical guidelines and helping healthcare providers and expectant mothers make informed decisions.
- This study indicates that individuals with Kawasaki disease have a higher risk for ADHD but not for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
- Results found no evidence to support a link between genetically predicted Human Herpesviruses infection and the risk of NDDs based on existing datasets.
- These findings indicate that prenatal painkiller exposure is unlikely to be a major determinant of the severity of neurodevelopmental outcomes in autistic children.
Possibly relevant
- Our study summarized research evidence on the genetic variants of ASD and provides a broad and detailed overview of ASD risk genes.
- Maternal diabetes is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and impaired neurodevelopmental performance in children. Further high-quality research is needed to establish causality and clarify the associations between specific types of diabetes and the full spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Suggestive evidence included the associations between pregnancy O3 exposure and autism spectrum disorder.
- Gestational exposure to valproate was associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder.
- This study indicated that Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure was associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and problems (NDPs) in children, particularly in boys, underscoring the importance of considering BPA exposure as a potential risk factor for children’s brain health.
- Our study found a significant difference in dental caries severity between children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and those without ASD.
- The development of childhood ASD may be associated with screen exposure.
- The total number of cannabis exposed pregnancies (with ASD and ADHD as the outcomes) in world literature is small. However, cannabis use during pregnancy is, at the very least, a clear marker for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes
- In this meta-analysis, the relationships between air pollutants and ASD risk revealed significant associations, particularly for PM2.5 and NO2. Exposure during preconception exhibited a protective trend, while postnatal exposure, particularly during the second year of life uncovered substantially higher ASD risk.
- While there was weak evidence for associations between antibiotic use in early-life and later neurodevelopmental outcomes, these were attenuated in sibling-controlled subgroup analyses. Thus, associations may be explained by genetic and familial confounding, and studies failing to utilise sibling-control groups must be interpreted with caution.
- The current findings suggest that Anorexia Nervosa (AN) frequently overlaps with both autistic traits and autistic symptomatology. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate autism and autistic traits in individuals with AN to tailor individualized treatment plans.
- Increased risk of autism in children is significantly associated with greater parents’ ages.
- Parental PMADs are significantly associated with an increased risk of NDDs in children.
Above, I wrote that rational scientists would approach the subject by evaluating the research that has already been done. So, why will Kennedy, Geier et al not do that?
Simple!
The very first meta-analysis cited above (confirmed by multiple further reviews) firmly establishes that the pursuit of RFKJr.’s obsession (vaccines cause autism) is a dead end! The issue has been researched, re-researched ad nauseam and laid to bed.
So, in order to confirm his belief, RFKJr. needs to spend all this money in order to find (or manipulate) some evidence that questions a rock-solid consensus. Once he has succeeded in this task, he will to do what all pseudo-scientists do best: he will pretend that correlations are prove of causation.
In the end, this will amount to a spectecular waste of money. Because some people will nevertheless believe RFKJr., it will also strengthen the anti-vax movement and thus further endanger public health.
WATCH THIS SPACE!
7 Responses to RFKJr’s research project into the cause of autism: the result seems clear before the research has started
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“Thx. We are at different points on the “RFKJr is pseudo-scientific” spectrum!
I place him in the Impostor Syndrome, allied to his being a minor Kennedy,
compounded by a Messianic complex that only he can bring salvation to the masses.
A fraud.
Dear Ernst,
and what’s about the research project into the cause of the epidemiology of SCAM, naturopathy, holistic doctors 🤣 and their lies?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23681857/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23642955/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23574689/
Medline lists a total of 59 papers of mine on this subject; above are just 3 of them
Eso-doc
Edzard and followers here won’t admit that the rise of SCAM is a result of failures SBM, I disagree. I have sixty-eight years. Almost all the people I know both family and friends (myself included) … both young and old are not impressed with medical doctors.
Patients turn to SCAMs because they become disillusioned with the failures of the status-quo, even worse they have been damaged or hurt. Yes, I can admit they can do SOME good.
I know studies will claim otherwise, but I have my own data.
Oh RG…when will you learn. We have discussed on the blog many times that low-information folks, cult members, poorly educated people, religious people disproportionately tend to believe in SCAM. Perhaps your friends and family fall into one or more of these categories? We already know you are in the low-information and poorly educated category, as you have proved it to us many times over.
Uh. You have your own Data, RG?
You did your own research like:
You heard from uncle Jack…/Auntie Margret‘s Cousins daughter…
Just give a shit on all these scientific studies!???
That’s the „real“ evidence based medicine.
🤭🤭🤭
What a wonderful example of a SCAM-User you are.
Esoallergicdoctor,
For the project you propose, I think there is a ton of data in the comments section of this blog. You can also find data if you want to conduct research into the epidemiology of SCAM users 😁