The US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, faced backlash for suggesting that he could determine the causes of autism by September, with former FDA vaccine chief Dr Peter Marks stating that such claims provide “false hope” to families.
In a recent interview, Marks, who resigned from his position amid what he called anti-vaccination misinformation from the Trump administration cabinet member, warned about the complexities surrounding the topic of autism.
Marks pointed out that autism is an “incredibly complicated issue,” emphasizing the lack of scientific feasibility for arriving at conclusions within such a short timeframe.
As someone who had experience caring for leukemia patients, he expressed that providing false hope to families in need is irresponsible.
“You can be incredibly supportive of people, but giving them false hope is wrong,” he stated during his conversation with host Margaret Brennan on CBS’s Face the Nation in a pre-recorded segment airing Sunday.
These comments stemmed from Kennedy’s announcement that the Trump administration had initiated “a massive testing and research effort” about autism through the National Institutes of Health.
Kennedy claimed, “By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic, and we’ll be able to eliminate those exposures.”
Marks, referencing past research, indicated that factors contributing to autism involve a combination of genetic and environmental influences.
He also highlighted that the increased number of autism diagnoses over the years can likely be attributed to improved diagnostic methods rather than an actual rise in prevalence.
Moreover, during an appearance on the Trump administration-friendly Fox News network, Kennedy insisted that rising autism rates result from “an environmental toxin.”
He included vaccines as one of the factors to be examined, despite over two dozen studies that have disproven any correlation between vaccines and autism.
Marks firmly countered, “I will not accept as a cause of autism … any of the … vaccines we use because we’ve studied them in so many millions of children.”
Marks previously served as the Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine official from 2016 until his resignation on April 5.
In his resignation letter, he admonished Kennedy, emphasizing that it had become clear the secretary prioritized misinformation over truth and transparency.
Marks stated, “Undermining confidence in well-established vaccines that have met the high standards for quality, safety and effectiveness that have been in place for decades at FDA is irresponsible, detrimental to public health and a clear danger to our nation’s health, safety and security.”
His departure occurred shortly after two children from the rural community of Seminole in west Texas died of measles, marking the first measles-related fatalities in the United States since 2015.
Those deaths occurred only weeks apart and were reportedly linked to the community’s low vaccination rates.
Marks attributed these deaths to a rising anti-vaccine sentiment amplified by public figures, including Kennedy.
He lamented, “This is the epitome of an absolute needless death. These kids should get vaccinated – that’s how you prevent people from dying of measles.”
Kennedy has been criticized for hesitating to fully endorse the safe and effective measles vaccine.
Despite visiting families affected by the tragedy in Seminole, he stated in a CBS interview, “people should get the measles vaccine” while asserting that government mandates should not be required.
Additionally, Kennedy has emphasized unconventional treatment methods, advocating for vitamins and cod-liver oil over vaccinations.
In a recent visit to the FDA headquarters in Maryland, Kennedy rallied employees to resist being part of the so-called “deep state,” a term used by Trump to describe perceived conspiracies against his administration.
Reports indicated that Kennedy’s statements were subsequently leaked to the press, prompting some FDA employees to leave during his speech.
This situation showcases the ongoing debate surrounding vaccines and public health, as misguided narratives continue to contribute to vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
As the conversation about vaccines and autism continues, experts like Marks underscore that relying on facts and scientific evidence is crucial for public health safety and trust in preventative measures.
image source from：https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/13/rfk-jr-peter-marks-autism
