health

The unproven autism treatment taking off under RFK Jr

Parents of children with autism are turning to a controversial stem cell treatment backed by the US Health Secretary. A growing number of clinics in the US are charging parents tens of thousands of dollars for stem cell therapy, which is being given to children as young as 18 months old. The Guardian’s chief reporter Ed Pilkington tells Kai Wright about his months-long investigation into the providers of these treatments, and their connections to the health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr. He also spoke with figures in the science community who fear the FDA may be loosening its rigorous restrictions on stem cell treatment for autism

The unproven autism treatment taking off under RFK Jr

TL;DR

  • Parents are pursuing controversial stem cell treatments for children with autism.
  • Clinics in the US are charging tens of thousands of dollars for this therapy.
  • Children as young as 18 months are receiving the treatment.
  • The treatments are reportedly backed by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
  • Scientists fear the FDA may be easing restrictions on stem cell treatment for autism.