Kennedy's Autism Database Proposal: Bold or Misguided?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s proposal to track autism causes using a new database is criticized by experts as ignoring decades of genetic research. Autism is linked to multiple causes, primarily genetic. His plan involves merging insurance claims with medical records, but lacks genetic data, limiting its efficacy.
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- United States
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is under scrutiny for his ambitious plan to uncover the causes of autism within months, a move many experts deem unrealistic and dismissive of existing scientific research.
Autism's complexity, largely linked to genetic factors, involves a range of symptoms rather than a singular cause, contrary to Kennedy's implication. Genetic research has long established that autism, now more visible due to evolving diagnostic standards, often stems from genetic differences present at birth.
Kennedy's database aims to consolidate insurance and medical records to pinpoint autism triggers. Experts argue its effectiveness is limited by a lack of genetic data, a crucial element in understanding autism's multifaceted nature. Nonetheless, the database could advance studies on treatment access and efficacy.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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