Adding to the controversy, Kennedy revived a claim he has made before: that male infants who are circumcised may be twice as likely to develop autism, allegedly due to painkillers given after the procedure. He cited a 2015 Danish study that found a weak statistical correlation between circumcision and autism, but no causal link. The study’s authors themselves noted they had no data on painkiller use and warned that further research would be needed before drawing conclusions. Experts emphasize that correlation does not equal causation, and spreading such claims without solid evidence misleads the public.
What concerns many health professionals is Kennedy’s position as U.S. Health Secretary, a role that carries influence over public health perception and policy. Critics say that repeating such theories from within government lends credibility to misinformation. Former President Barack Obama also weighed in, warning that promoting unverified medical claims could undermine trust in science and public institutions.
The situation raises a broader debate: should public officials be held accountable for spreading false or misleading health information, or is this protected under free speech? Regardless of legal or political framing, experts agree that public trust in medicine is fragile — and statements like these, made without strong evidence, risk real-world harm.
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