Kenvue stock drops on report RFK Jr will link autism to Tylenol during pregnancy

Evidence on Tylenol and Autism

• Commenters link to large observational and meta-analytic studies that both find no association and a small positive association between prenatal acetaminophen use and ASD/ADHD.
• Reported effect sizes are modest (odds ratios ~1.1–1.2), implying tiny absolute risk changes (e.g., ~0.2–0.4 percentage points; NNH ≈ 500+ if causal).
• Multiple people stress these are observational data with confounding, publication bias, and diagnostic differences; causation is not established.
• Some note sibling-controlled studies still show only weak signals, mostly for long-duration use.

RFK Jr., Politics, and Credibility

• Many participants dismiss the claim primarily because of RFK Jr.’s long history of anti‑vaccine and fringe health positions, and the AI‑tainted “gold standard” MAHA report.
• Others criticize this as a genetic fallacy: his untrustworthiness doesn’t automatically falsify every specific claim.
• Some see his move as part of a broader strategy to erode trust in mainstream medicine in favor of “natural” or wellness narratives, and possibly to further restrict women’s autonomy.
• A minority say he’s reflecting genuine distrust in U.S. health institutions and that some of his targets (e.g., processed foods, additives) may be non‑crazy even if his reasoning is poor.

Autism Rates, Heritability, and Alternative Explanations

• Several emphasize strong heritability: autistic parents and siblings, twin studies, and likely genetic factors dominating over any single environmental exposure.
• Rising autism prevalence is often attributed to broadened diagnostic criteria and reduced stigma, analogized to the historical rise in reported left‑handedness.
• Others raise speculative environmental contributors (pollution, microplastics, pesticides, EM signals), but these are explicitly flagged as unproven.

Pregnancy Risk Tradeoffs

• Debate over whether precautionary bans on Tylenol in pregnancy are justified given current evidence.
• Some argue pregnant people should avoid it for anything short of serious fever, relying on non‑drug measures; others counter that untreated pain and especially fever carry well‑documented fetal risks and that alternatives (NSAIDs, opioids, aspirin) are often worse.
• Concern that simplistic messaging (“Tylenol causes autism”) will drive unsafe substitutions (e.g., aspirin in children, or no fever control).

Acetaminophen Safety and Culture

• Extensive side discussion on liver toxicity: narrow margin between therapeutic and toxic doses, overdose common in ERs, but recommended dosing is considered safe.
• Cultural contrast: in the UK it’s ubiquitous and recommended for almost everything; some HN users find this too casual, others find U.S. hostility overblown.

Markets, Lawsuits, and Science Communication

• Some see the stock drop and public panic as ripe for plaintiff attorneys and perhaps opportunistic traders.
• Several complain that media and political actors turn nuanced, inconclusive science into absolutist slogans (“no link” vs “proven cause”), further degrading public trust.
• General worry that politicizing autism causation — whether via anti‑vax or anti‑Tylenol narratives — harms autistic people, parents, and serious research alike.