Kennedy announces a controversial study on Autism Used!
Kennedy announces a controversial study on Autism Used!
Vienna, Österreich - Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a comprehensive investigation on the causes of autism. This initiative is intended to clarify what it calls "autism epidemic" in the United States. Kennedy plans to deliver answers by September 2025 and thus illuminate the current increase in diagnoses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an autism spectrum disorder was diagnosed in around 36 children in 2020, in 2000 the rate was still 150. Vienna.at reports that experts are skeptical about the realizability of Kennedy's goals. Geoff Bird, a cognitive neuroscientist, noted that the scientific basis on which Kennedy's initiative is based was questionable.
According to current studies, around 80 percent of autism cases are associated with genetic factors, but there is still no diagnosis of reliable biological markers. An important reason for the increase in diagnoses is the expanded definition of autism and better screening, especially in girls. Scientists and specialist groups emphasize that hypotheses about environmental toxins, diabetes and the so-called intestinal brain axis as a trigger for autism are not scientifically supported abcnews.go.comsurveys and main focus
In his announcement, Kennedy emphasized that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has commissioned the National Institute of Health (NIH) to carry out studies on various environmental influences. Factors such as mold, obesity and possibly even medication exposure are examined during pregnancy. The NIH is under the direction of Dr. Jay Bhattcharya announced new studies to find out which environmental influences are linked to the increasing autism diagnoses.Kennedy pointed out that he does not completely ignore the increasing attention to autism, but he does not consider it the main cause of the increase. Studies show that genetic factors have a significant influence, whereby mutations in certain genes can increase the risk of autism. Among these genes are Shank3, NRXN1 and CNTNAP2, all of which play a role in neuronal development Heb-franziska-zedler.de .
criticism and alternative views
The Kennedy initiative has caused immediate critical reactions. Tim Nicholls from the National Autistic Society described the approach as insensitive and unscientific. He interpreted that the focus should be on improving the living conditions of autistic people instead of dealing exclusively with the cause research. Autism Speaks also declared Kennedy's statements "extremely disappointing and harmful", since they could give the impression that autism was avoidable and connected to environmental toxins, which is not supported by sufficient evidence.
The discussion about autism also reflects different perspectives: for some it is a neurodive variant, while others experience it as a serious impairment. Despite all these controversy, it remains to be seen that autism is a complex neurological developmental disorder. Autism manifests itself in social difficulties, communication problems and often also in repetitive behaviors. A clear cause has not yet been named, which is why further research will be necessary in the future.
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| Ort | Vienna, Österreich |
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