Watchdog Calls for Transparency in Autism Research

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kara Zupkus (224)-456-0257

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance criticized the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration for their lack of transparency regarding scientific research. The White House is slated to release research findings Monday afternoon alleging a link between autism and Tylenol use. But little information has emerged about the research process and officials have given conflicting estimates on when the findings will be released.

In response, Ross Marchand, Senior Fellow at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, offered the following comment:

“Autism impacts millions of children and adults in the U.S. Patients and their families deserve transparent and non-politicized research on their condition. Unfortunately, HHS is leaving the American people in the dark about its dubious research priorities. Secretary Kennedy refuses to say why various hypotheses that could explain the rise in autism rates, such as improved screening procedures, should be rejected in favor of environmental explanations. Millions of consumers are being told to avoid Tylenol with next-to-no explanation about the how and why behind the HHS’ research process.

“On September 5, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance Foundation (TPAF) submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to HHS to get better insight on the agency’s autism research process. Unfortunately, the agency has yet to respond to us. This is not an isolated incident at the HHS. An April report in Politico noted that agency officials were shutting down FOIA offices and scaling back information response efforts. This not only raises legal questions but also enables government officials to act recklessly and politicize science. It’s time for a more transparent approach.

“Secretary Kennedy has pledged ‘radical transparency’ in his efforts to Make America Healthy Again. He can turn that promise into a reality by being open and transparent with the American people.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.