Just what we needed, more misinformation

 Just what we need, more misinformation

The Secretary of Health and Human Services has spoken yet again, this time with the President joining in.   RFK Jr. in his short tenure, has certainly kept the medical profession and medical professional associations on their toes by denying and challenging most of his pronouncements.   Next up, they will probably be joined by Johnson & Johnson, makers of Tylenol. The chief of clinical practice at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has specifically said “there is no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and fetal developmental issues.  Pregnant patients should not be frightened away from the many benefits of acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is safe and one of the few options pregnant women have for pain relief.  ACOG’sj clinical guidance remains the same and, as always, any medication taken during pregnancy should be used only as needed in moderation and after the pregnant patient has consulted her doctor” Tylenol reduces fever.   The damage to the fetus when the mother has a fever and/or infection is proven science.  Once again proven science is defeated by cult wisdom.  The report prepared by the National Institutes of Health is expected to be a review of existing research on the possible causes of autism.   Jr has spent many years promoting the link between autism and vaccines.   He has never been daunted by facts despite numerous studies that discredit all that he advocates.  Jr. and his staff insist they are using gold-standard science to get to the bottom of the causes of autism.  Most scientists do not even describe these theories as gold-plated let alone a gold standard.  Researchers in the field are more inclined to go with the notion that what you seek you shall fine.  Greater awareness, improved screening tools and changes to the diagnostic criteria are more likely the cause for the rise in a diagnosis of autism.

The Autism Science Foundation said that autism results from a mix of genetic and environmental factors with genetics playing the larger role.  “Any association between acetaminophen and autism is based on limited, conflicting and inconsistent science and is premature given the current science” according to the association.

The sale of ice cream goes up in the summer.  So does crime.  Just because there is a correlation and association of the rise of each does not in any reasonable sense mean that eating ice cream causes crime.

But, hey, this is Jr operating here.  The Secretary of Misinformation. Just what we need.