Lisa Jarvis, Columnist

RFK Jr.’s Autism ‘Investigation’ Reflects His Ignorance

It’s absurd to promise a fast, definitive answer on a complex neurological condition.

April 15, 2025 at 11:30 AM UTC

Lisa Jarvis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering biotech, health care and the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, she was executive editor of Chemical & Engineering News.

Not a scientist.
Photographer: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vow to uncover the cause of autism by September is ludicrous. There are no fast and easy answers in science, especially when it comes to complex neurodevelopmental conditions.

Moreover, Kennedy’s history of bending science to match his pet theories suggests any “answers” he finds may do more harm than good. And the biggest concern is that this initiative is a ruse to push his anti-vaccine agenda.