(Reuters) LIVE: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. discusses the findings of CDC autism survey

[xocetaceans]

This will probably be a completely twisted presentation as RFK, Jr. is wholly unfit to be the HHS Secretary and is an anti-vaccine activist/attorney.

Due to his current position in the US government, he should be acting as an earnest and clear advocate for public health whose current primary purpose should be attempting to convince people to be vaccinated against all manner of diseases and in particular against measles by vaccination with the MMR vaccine. If he cannot fulfill that role, he should be removed from his position as HHS Secretary.

[Henry203]

1. Eating roadkill causes autism.

[Grins]

2. Correlation is not causation.

Counting cases does not refute the research findings from years ago.

[snowybirdie]

3. Don't care what's the cause

of hos speech impeniment. But listening to this fool sounds like chalk screeching on a blackboard.

[Warpy]

4. Is there anything more tedious than listening

to a profoundly ignorant man maundering on and on about things he is utterly unacquainted with but considers himself the planet's foremost expert on?

This witless sack of shit will simply never be able to admit the studies have been done, that ASD is genetic. He's just another worthless, witless man who is so wedded to his own bullshit that he will find it impossible to back down, not even at his dying breath.

It's just a pity he's been placedwhere he can waste more and more increasingly scarce NIH dollars pursuing this garbage.

[Disaffected]

5. It's a little more complicated than that.

Last edited Wed Apr 16, 2025, 03:42 PM - Edit history (1)

From ChatGPT:

...............

The exact causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are still not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Here’s a breakdown of the main factors that are thought to contribute to the development of autism:

1. Genetics:
Genetic variations: There is strong evidence that autism has a genetic basis. Certain genes that influence brain development and function are implicated in the condition. Studies have shown that if a sibling has autism, the likelihood of another sibling having it increases, suggesting a hereditary component.

De novo mutations: These are new genetic mutations that occur in the child’s DNA, not inherited from the parents, and can play a role in causing autism.

Copy number variations (CNVs): These are large segments of DNA that are deleted or duplicated, and can contribute to the risk of developing autism.

2. Environmental Factors:
Prenatal factors: Certain prenatal conditions may increase the risk of autism, such as maternal infections during pregnancy, exposure to certain drugs (like valproic acid or thalidomide), or complications during birth.

Advanced parental age: Older parental age, particularly paternal age, has been associated with an increased risk of autism in offspring.

Toxins and pollutants: Exposure to environmental toxins or pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and air pollution, during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of autism.

3. Neurological Factors:
Brain structure and function: Studies have found differences in the brains of individuals with autism, such as abnormalities in the size and structure of certain brain regions (like the amygdala, hippocampus, and cerebellum) and differences in the way neural circuits work.

Neurotransmitter imbalances: Some evidence suggests that imbalances in chemicals that help transmit signals in the brain, like serotonin and dopamine, may play a role in the development of autism.

4. Immunological and Inflammatory Factors:
There is some evidence that immune system dysfunction, such as maternal immune responses or inflammation during pregnancy, could contribute to the risk of autism. However, research in this area is ongoing and not yet definitive.

5. Prenatal and Perinatal Factors:
Certain conditions during pregnancy, like maternal diabetes, obesity, or severe stress, have been linked to a higher risk of autism in children.

6. No Link to Vaccines:
Extensive research has debunked any connection between vaccines (such as the MMR vaccine) and autism. A study published in the 1990s claiming such a link was later retracted, and no credible scientific evidence supports this hypothesis.

Conclusion:
Autism likely results from a complex interaction between genetic susceptibility and environmental influences. While specific causes can vary from individual to individual, it is generally agreed that there isn’t a single "cause" but rather a variety of factors that contribute to the development of ASD. Research continues to explore these potential causes to better understand the disorder.

...................

So, more research is certainly warranted (not that Kennedy's efforts will necessarily contribute anything of value).

[Warpy]

6. Oh, BOSH

All this stuff has been done to death for decades because a bunch of ignoramuses can't let it go, playing a neverending game of moving goalposts. The data are out there, contained in peer reviewed scientific literature.

Continuing to flog the long dead horses in that wall of Chat GPT text does no one any good at all and merely wastes time and money. While I admit that 100% of the factors producing non neurotypical people are mot yet known (brains are complicated, yo, they're one of the 2 organs I specialized in), some things are known and others have been completely ruled out.

[Disaffected]

10. So you contend the cause is purely genetic

Last edited Wed Apr 16, 2025, 03:40 PM - Edit history (1)

and that no other factors could be playing a role?

How about some cites for that other than appeal to (your own, brain specialist) authority?

BTW, just what in the ChatGPT response do you consider to be erroneous?

[Warpy]

12. Most statements that being with "so" are straw men

and yours is no exception.

Bye.

[Disaffected]

13. I thought as much.

So, what's the other organ you are a "specialist" in?

I'm guessing rectum. Or, maybe spine if you are a chiropractor.

[highplainsdem]

8. Chatbots are not reliable sources for information. Medical sites or Wikipedia would have been better.

[Disaffected]

11. OK,

From Wiki:

"Many causes of autism, including environmental and genetic factors, have been recognized or proposed, but understanding of the etiology of autism is incomplete." and,

"There are many known environmental, genetic, and biological causes of autism. Research indicates that genetic factors predominantly contribute to its appearance. The heritability of autism is complex and many of the genetic interactions involved are unknown.".

From the government of Canada:

"While both genetics and environment likely play a role, its exact cause remains unknown.

(emphasis added by myself)

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/autism-spectrum-disorder-asd/causes-autism-spectrum-disorder-asd.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_autism

[chowder66]

7. Why does he even care? He doesn't seem to mind measles killing kids and he's part of an administration that

loves making kids suffer and die.

[UTUSN]

9. "findings" already? Who conducted the survey, his brainworm?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

14. CDC autism report disputes RFK Jr's claims about why the condition is on the rise

There are more autism cases because we are better at diagnosing autism

CDC autism report disputes RFK Jr’s claims about why the condition is on the rise

— The Independent (@the-independent.com) 2025-04-16T10:13:46.151Z

Link to tweet

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/autism-cdc-robert-f-kennedy-jr-b2734181.html

However, the CDC’s experts dispute the idea that the condition is becoming more widespread, despite the rise in its data, instead attributing the uptick in cases to improved diagnostics.

The report’s authors say advances in screening and testing “have been apparent” since its last report was published and suggest that “differences in the prevalence of children identified with [autism spectrum disorder] across communities might be due to differences in availability of services for early detection and evaluation and diagnostic practices.”.....

Christopher Banks, president and CEO of the Autism Society of America, also rejected Kennedy’s suggestion that greater prevalence in diagnosis represents an epidemic, saying the spread of “fear, misinformation, or political rhetoric” was not constructive and instead called for fresh research funding.

“It is likely you know or love someone with autism, and we need credible, science-based research to better understand autism, its contributing factors, and the diversity of needs across the spectrum,” he said.

“Further exploring data like this report, requires significant funding, expert-led, quality, transparent research methodology, that follows peer-reviewed due process.”

At a White House cabinet meeting last week, President Donald Trump joined Kennedy in musing on the vaccine theory, saying: “You stop taking something, you stop eating something, or maybe it’s a shot, but something’s causing it.”