Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, announced a new autism research initiative on Thursday, pledging federal funding to investigate environmental factors and potential links to vaccines.
Initiative Details
The initiative, called the "Autism Research and Prevention Initiative," will allocate $100 million over five years to study environmental exposures and genetic susceptibility. Kennedy said the goal is to "leave no stone unturned" in understanding autism's causes.
"We need to look at the whole picture," Kennedy said at a press conference. "That includes environmental toxins, nutritional deficiencies, and yes, vaccine safety."
Reactions and Controversy
The announcement drew criticism from medical groups, who fear it could undermine confidence in vaccines. The American Academy of Pediatrics reiterated that "extensive research has found no link between vaccines and autism."
Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, has previously faced backlash for spreading misinformation about vaccine safety. His new initiative will fund studies at several universities, including Harvard and Johns Hopkins.
Next Steps
The first grants are expected to be awarded early next year. Kennedy said the findings will be reviewed by an independent panel of scientists, and he vowed to "follow the science wherever it leads."
