RFK Jr. Has Packed an Autism Panel With Cranks and Conspiracy Theorists
Summary
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has appointed controversial figures to a federal autism committee, including individuals promoting harmful treatments and alleging that vaccine manufacturers are poisoning children, raising concerns about the committee's credibility and public health implications.
Key Insights
What is the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)?
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) is a federal committee that advises the HHS Secretary on autism research priorities, comprising federal agency representatives and public members including scientists, advocates, parents, and individuals with autism, authorized under the Autism CARES Act.
Why are some appointees to the autism committee controversial?
Several new public members have publicly supported the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism, promoted alternative treatments like leucovorin, or are linked to anti-vaccine groups, prompting criticism from autism researchers and advocates for deviating from evidence-based science.