Story perspectives

Kennedy Revamps Autism Panel, Sparks Controversy Over Science

3/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revamped U.S. autism advisory board to include vaccine skeptics and shift research toward autism causes.
Critics, including former committee members, warn this could undermine scientific integrity and divert funding from other autism causes.
The panel has fewer autistic self-advocates and includes supporters of the debunked vaccine-autism link.
An alternative group, the Independent Autism Coordination Committee, has formed to advocate for a science-based approach.

1 of 1

Story summary

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revamped U.S. autism advisory board to include vaccine skeptics and shift research toward autism causes.
Critics, including former committee members, warn this could undermine scientific integrity and divert funding from other autism causes.
The panel has fewer autistic self-advocates and includes supporters of the debunked vaccine-autism link.
An alternative group, the Independent Autism Coordination Committee, has formed to advocate for a science-based approach.