U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is about to drop a bombshell report that could turn the medical world on its head with claims linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, the New York Post reported.
Kennedy’s upcoming Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report, slated for release later this month, ties low folate levels and acetaminophen—the active ingredient in Tylenol—to autism risks, while suggesting folinic acid as a potential therapy for some symptoms, stirring both intrigue and skepticism across scientific circles.
Let’s rewind a bit to April, when Kennedy, during a cabinet meeting with President Trump, boldly promised that by September, the causes of the autism “epidemic” would be clear. “By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic,” he declared with the kind of confidence that raises eyebrows. But critics quickly pounced, calling the timeline absurd for such a complex issue, and advisers later dialed back expectations to a new research initiative.
For nearly two decades, Kennedy has been laser-focused on autism, often courting controversy with claims like his now-retracted 2005 article tying vaccines to the disorder—a theory soundly debunked by mainstream science. Major studies have repeatedly shown no link between autism and vaccines, whether it’s the measles shot or preservatives like thimerosal. Yet, whispers persist about whether vaccines will sneak into this report, with allies like Brian Hooker of Children’s Health Defense hinting at it.
“I think that he’s going to talk about vaccines as well,” Hooker mused in a recent video. Let’s be real—if vaccines do show up in this report, it’ll ignite a firestorm, given the mountain of evidence against such claims. Still, the uncertainty keeps everyone guessing about Kennedy’s final play.
The report, led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with input from heavyweights like NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, isn’t breaking new ground with fresh studies. Instead, it’s a deep dive into existing scientific literature, taking a “measured approach” to outline what’s known and unknown about autism. That’s a cautious move, but will it satisfy a public hungry for answers?
At the heart of this storm is Tylenol, made by Kenvue’s subsidiary McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a go-to painkiller for countless pregnant women. The report’s suggestion that acetaminophen might play a role in autism—despite decades of conflicting studies on fetal development risks—has already tanked Kenvue’s shares by 16% on Friday, though they clawed back some losses by the closing bell. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly science and markets collide.
“Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of the people who use our products,” a Kenvue spokeswoman told the Wall Street Journal. Nice words, but when a household name like Tylenol gets dragged into a controversy affecting one in 31 8-year-olds—the 2022 autism rate per federal estimates—trust takes a hit. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists still calls Tylenol safe for expectant mothers, though with a caveat to consult doctors.
Meanwhile, the report may point to other autism triggers beyond Tylenol and push for more research, which sounds reasonable on paper. With genetic factors already a known major player, as researchers have long emphasized, untangling autism’s causes is a marathon, not a sprint. But will a call for “more studies” feel like a dodge to families desperate for clarity?
HHS isn’t just dropping a report; they’re rolling out major grant awards to academic institutions under NIH’s autism data science initiative, launched with proposals solicited back in May. It’s part of a broader administration focus on autism research, which is hard to argue against when so much remains unanswered. Still, the timing feels like a calculated effort to soften the blow of controversial claims.
“We are using gold-standard science to get to the bottom of America’s unprecedented rise in autism rates,” an HHS spokesperson boasted on Friday. That’s a lofty promise, but in a world where progressive agendas often sidestep hard questions about health policies, a bit of skepticism toward official narratives is healthy. Let’s hope the science holds up under scrutiny.
The same spokesperson also cautioned, “Until we release the final report, any claims about its contents are nothing more than speculation.” Fair enough, but with the draft still being finalized and White House approval uncertain, the waiting game fuels more questions than answers. Will the final language pull punches or swing hard?
For now, the report’s tease of folinic acid—also known as leucovorin—as a potential therapy for some autism symptoms offers a sliver of hope amid the controversy. It’s not a cure, and it’s not for everyone, but if it helps even a few, that’s a win worth exploring. Still, without new clinical data, it’s more of a hypothesis than a lifeline.
As we await the report’s release, the tension between science, policy, and public trust couldn’t be higher. Kennedy’s track record of challenging medical orthodoxy—right or wrong—puts him in a unique spot to shake things up, even if it ruffles feathers in the establishment. But in a culture too often bogged down by woke platitudes, asking tough questions about everyday drugs like Tylenol isn’t just fair—it’s necessary.
