Reply to is RKFJr's "Tylenol(TM) causes autism" just a shakedown for extortion money from the company?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][list][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]In 1980, autism was 2 per 10,000 births

In 2024, autism is 1 per 12 births

Not a shakedown OP.[/quote]

Two generations of Western women delaying having children into their mid 30s, then wonder why autism rates skyrocketed. :roll: [/quote]

I had a child in my 30’s who has Level 1 ASD. But there are several relatives in both DH’s extended family and my extended family who would surely have received a similar diagnosis if they were growing up now, and the vast majority of them were born to parents who were in their 20’s. It’s genetic folks.[/quote]

Absolutely - every serious expert accepts a strong genetic component.

But let's also accept that it is an extremely complex question - even just what genes are involved - and that there may also be some kind of environmental factors.

When an answer is not difinitive, scientific inquiry is OPEN to a variety of possible conclusions. This is one of the absolute worst parts of what RFK does: he makes it seem like the answers are simple instead of extraordinarily complex; like ordinary individuals can make their own determinations instead of needing the assessments and the advice of experts. Destroying our faith not just in doctors, not just in science, but in research and expertise and knowledge -- he is bringing us back to the Middle Ages!

I, for one, am not going. We need to keep following the scientists. If there is a possibility of an environmental factor, let's study it! Let's not say "no" to his every stupid and unfounded "yes." Let's oppose him by supporting the actual researchers who, fortunately, at this point are still doing independent research.[/quote]

A few scientific truths:

1. Saying something “genetic” does not mean that its heritability is explained primarily through genes.

2. Not all of our genes are expressed. Some genes get “switched on”. It’s called epigentics. Thus, the presence or absence of autism could be 100% controlled through environmental choices and yet genetic. (NB: I am not saying that autism is controllable environmentally; I’m speaking hypothetically.)

3. Something can be correlated with genes and yet not caused by genes. Being president, for instance, is highly linked with having a Y chromosome. The reason is sexism, not genetics.

4. In the context of autism, people think that there is somehow some incongruity between forming a hypothesis and “following the science.” No. The scientific method literally is forming and testing hypotheses. The question is “are the hypotheses any good?” The average layman has absolutely zero background information that could be useful in ascertaining whether any particular hypothesis is good or not. [/quote]

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