Health experts worldwide are challenging the assertions made by the Trump administration regarding autism and its potential causes. Recently, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump suggested a link between taking Tylenol during pregnancy and the development of autism in babies. Additionally, the U.S. FDA announced plans to reclassify leucovorin, a drug mainly used to alleviate chemotherapy side effects, for treating autism symptoms in children.
However, existing peer-reviewed research on autism and its etiology does not align with these claims or several other statements put forth in the announcement. The health community deems these assertions premature, misleading, and possibly harmful.
Deepa Singal, the scientific director of the Autism Alliance of Canada, sheds light on the scientific consensus surrounding autism, the reasons behind health professionals maintaining their current recommendations, and the challenges in obtaining conclusive answers about autism.
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