Autism advisory panel entertains vaccine link despite scientific consensus

The federal autism advisory committee convened on Thursday and centered its discussion on the role of vaccines in autism, despite a long-standing scientific dismissal of the hypothesis. Laura Cellini, who leads the nonprofit Elucidate ASD, argued that the panel should remain open to investigating any factor, including vaccinations, glutamate, or aspirin. Although the committee’s recently released strategic plan omits any reference to vaccines, multiple public members highlighted them as possible contributors to their children’s developmental regression.

Throughout the hearing, no committee member challenged the vaccine assertions, suggesting a new level of acceptance for the claim. Greg Robinson, director of public policy at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, described this lack of pushback as indicative of a changed norm within the group. The episode underscores ongoing tensions between advocacy groups and established medical evidence on autism causation.