Health professionals and politicians have united in condemnation after Donald Trump made unsubstantiated and potentially dangerous claims suggesting a link between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism.
The former US president's remarks, made during a conversation with British Conservative MP Danny Kruger, have drawn sharp criticism from scientists and Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, who warned such statements could cause "real harm" to public health.
Scientific Community Reacts
Leading medical experts were quick to dismiss Trump's assertions, pointing to the lack of credible scientific evidence supporting any causal relationship between prenatal paracetamol exposure and autism spectrum disorders.
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, stated: "There is no reliable evidence that paracetamol use in pregnancy causes autism. Making such claims without scientific basis is irresponsible and risks undermining trust in genuine medical advice."
Political Response
Wes Streeting responded forcefully to the claims, emphasising the importance of evidence-based medicine. "When it comes to public health, we should listen to scientists and doctors, not conspiracy theorists," the Labour frontbencher declared.
He added: "Spreading misinformation about medicines that millions rely on could prevent people from seeking appropriate treatment and cause unnecessary anxiety among expectant parents."
The Dangers of Medical Misinformation
Healthcare professionals expressed concern that such high-profile misinformation could have serious consequences:
- Discouraging legitimate pain relief use during pregnancy
- Causing unnecessary distress to expectant parents
- Undermining trust in established medical guidance
- Diverting attention from genuine autism research
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in combating medical misinformation, particularly when promoted by influential public figures.
