RFK Jr. Pushes Unproven Idea About Circumcision, Autism

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently claimed there is evidence to suggest that boys who are “circumcised early” have “double the rate of autism” — even though scientists say there are no reliable studies to support the statement.

The Health and Human Services Secretary made the claim during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9 while reiterating his personal belief that there is a link between childhood autism and taking Tylenol during pregnancy — despite decades of evidence to the contrary.

“There’s two studies that show children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism. It’s highly likely because they are given Tylenol,” Kennedy said during the press conference, though he did not cite the studies to which he was referring.

The politician may have been referring to a 2013 study of eight countries and a 2015 study based in Denmark that claimed to show a link between circumcision and autism, but they have since been strongly criticized by the medical community for their lack of proper scientific methodology.

Helen Tager-Flusberg, autism researcher and professor emerita at Boston University, has called the methods used in the studies “appalling,” per Scientific American.

Scientists reviewed the two studiesalong with a number of others related to male circumcision, in 2022, and they found no evidence supporting the claim that circumcision leads to autism.

Tylenol’s parent company, Kenvue, told PEOPLE in a statement: “We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism. We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned about the health risks and confusion this poses for expecting mothers and parents.”

Kenvue added, “Acetaminophen is also one of the most widely studied pain relievers and fever reducers in infants and children, and numerous randomized, controlled clinical trials support the safety of acetaminophen in infants and children when used as directed.”

“The facts are that over a decade of rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators, confirms there is no credible evidence linking acetaminophen to autism. We stand with the many public health and medical professionals who have reviewed this science and agree,” the company continued.

Kenvue also addressed Kennedy’s past statements regarding Tylenol and pregnancy, sating, “Acetaminophen is the safest pain reliever option for pregnant women as needed throughout their entire pregnancy. Without it, women face dangerous choices: suffer through conditions like fever that are potentially harmful to both mom and baby or use riskier alternatives. High fevers and pain are widely recognized as potential risks to a pregnancy if left untreated.”

Kennedy has sparked controversy with his approach to autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder related to brain development that can cause limited and repeated patterns of behavior, challenges in communicating with others, and a breakdown of speech, according to Mayo Clinic.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

He announced plans for a national registry of people with autism using private medical records in April. Kennedy also sparked intense backlash that same month after claiming people with autism will “never pay taxes. They’ll never hold a job. They’ll never play baseball.”

Kennedy has additionally promoted a scientifically debunked claim that autism is caused by vaccines.