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RFK Jr. Vowed to Find the Environmental Causes of Autism. Then He Shut Down Research Trying to Do Just That. (www.propublica.org)
submitted 11 months ago by to c/science@lemmy.world
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cross-posted from: https://reddthat.com/post/48326364

  • Slashed Autism Funding: RFK Jr. promised to identify the causes of autism but has eliminated parts of his agency actively investigating them and has cut millions in funding for autism research.
  • Silent on Rollbacks: Once an ardent environmentalist who took on big polluters, RFK Jr. has been silent on Trump’s dismantling of efforts to combat climate change and pollution.
  • Conflicting Priorities: RFK Jr. helps lead an administration that is reversing regulations on pollution and chemicals, including some linked to autism.
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[–] 35 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Probably because there's strong evidence a major environmental cause is Car Tire and break dust microplastics. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4019010/

Can't say bad thing about the auto industry and industrial oil & gas complex

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  • [–] 9 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    Interesting article! :)

    I hate what the fossil fuel and auto industries are doing just as much as the next person, but the article by itself is not strong evidence of a causal relationship, only of an association. Their own conclusion in the abstract is literally: "Exposure to TRP, NO2, PM2.5, and PM10 during pregnancy and the first year of life was associated with autism. Further epidemiological and toxicological examination of likely biological pathways will help determine whether these associations are causal."

    It could for instance be that for some reason, parents with higher autistic traits tend to be less bothered by/concerned about the noise, smell etc from roads. Which could explain differences in parents' exposure, since autism has such a strong hereditary factor. I'm not saying this is the case, just pointing out one of many possible alternative explanations.

    Overall the study can be used to say we have another reason to be cautious and reduce car pollution as fast as possible, IMO. But building weak arguments based on it only makes it easier for corps to defang this type of research.

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  • [–] 1 point 11 months ago*

    It could for instance be that for some reason, parents with higher autistic traits tend to be less bothered by/concerned about the noise, smell etc from roads. Which could explain differences in parents’ exposure, since autism has such a strong hereditary factor. I’m not saying this is the case, just pointing out one of many possible alternative explanations... But building weak arguments based on it only makes it easier for corps to defang this type of research.

    The irony is very thick.

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