Kennedy Reiterates Controversial Tylenol-Autism Claim at Cabinet Meeting

During a recent Cabinet meeting on March 14, 2024, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health Secretary, reiterated his controversial stance linking the pain reliever Tylenol to autism. This assertion has been widely criticized by medical experts as unproven and lacking scientific backing. Kennedy’s comments came in the presence of President Donald Trump and other Cabinet members, prompting further scrutiny of his views on public health.

Kennedy’s remarks included a suggestion that those who oppose his theory are driven by animosity towards Trump. He acknowledged the absence of medical evidence to support his claims but insisted that ongoing studies would eventually validate his position. “Anybody who takes the stuff during pregnancy unless they have to is irresponsible,” Kennedy stated, emphasizing his belief in the need for further research.

His statements have raised alarm among health professionals, who fear that Kennedy’s unconventional views could undermine established evidence-based health policies in the United States. Notably, Kennedy incorrectly described aspects of female anatomy during the meeting, stating that a pregnant woman was taking Tylenol “with a baby in her placenta.” Medical experts clarified that a fetus develops in the uterus, while the placenta is a temporary organ providing support during pregnancy.

Kennedy’s appearance at the meeting followed a highly publicized event two weeks earlier, where he stood alongside Trump as the president promoted similar unfounded connections between Tylenol, vaccines, and autism. During the Cabinet session, Kennedy referenced a TikTok video he had seen that featured a pregnant woman “gobbling Tylenol” while expressing hostility towards Trump. He remarked on what he termed “Trump derangement syndrome,” suggesting it had transcended politics into a psychological phenomenon.

In addition to his Tylenol claims, Kennedy addressed the topic of circumcision, stating that infant boys who undergo the procedure experience double the rate of autism. This assertion appears to reference a study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine in 2015. The study investigated the correlation between ritual circumcision and autism spectrum disorder among boys under ten in Denmark. While it reported a higher incidence of autism among circumcised boys, researchers cautioned that the evidence did not establish causation and noted the lack of data regarding the use of painkillers or anesthetics during the procedure.

Critics have pointed to other research that fails to support any link between circumcision and autism, further complicating Kennedy’s claims. As discussions around public health continue to evolve, the implications of Kennedy’s statements and their potential impact on health policies remain a point of contention.

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