Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is sounding the alarm over the increasing number of U.S. children diagnosed with autism, calling the rise an “alarming” trend. On Wednesday, Kennedy pledged to spearhead comprehensive studies aimed at identifying any environmental factors that might contribute to the growing prevalence of the developmental disorder.

This statement comes just one day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report revealing that approximately 1 in 31 children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with autism—up from 1 in 36 in 2020. The spike in autism diagnoses has raised questions about potential causes, leading Kennedy to emphasize the need for further investigation.

Kennedy described autism as a “preventable disease,” despite it not being classified as a disease but a complex disorder that affects brain development. “Autism destroys families,” Kennedy stated. “More importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which is our children. These are children who should not be suffering like this.”

While Kennedy’s focus is on understanding the environmental factors that may contribute to autism, experts in the field suggest the rising numbers may also reflect changes in how the condition is diagnosed. Over time, the definition of autism has expanded to include cases that are milder, contributing to a higher number of diagnoses.

Autism, a developmental disorder, manifests in a wide range of symptoms, including delays in language, learning, and social skills. Some individuals may not show symptoms until adulthood. While no single cause has been identified, researchers believe genetics play a significant role. In addition, factors such as a child’s father’s age, maternal weight, and prenatal exposure to certain chemicals have been linked to autism risk.

Kennedy’s approach will investigate these and other potential environmental factors. Although he had initially set a September deadline to determine autism’s causes, he now believes that his department will provide at least partial answers by that time.

Kennedy’s plan includes issuing grants to universities and researchers, encouraging them to “follow the science, no matter what it says.” This initiative follows a history of cuts to science and health research funding under the Trump administration, which had previously slashed billions of dollars in grants to universities.

To conduct this research, the CDC gathered autism data from 14 states and Puerto Rico in 2022, focusing on 8-year-olds as most autism diagnoses occur by this age. The CDC’s most recent estimate of 1 in 31 children diagnosed with autism is considered the gold standard by many experts due to its rigorous methodology.

Despite Kennedy’s focus on environmental factors, other researchers argue that the increase in autism diagnoses can be attributed to improved awareness and medical advancements. Annette Estes, director of the autism center at the University of Washington, explained, “The reasons for increases in autism diagnosis come down to scientific and health care progress. It’s hard for many people to understand this because the causes of autism are complex.”

The Autism Science Foundation, in response to Kennedy’s comments, emphasized that factors like better access to services and reduced stigma surrounding autism spectrum disorders are key contributors to the rise in autism prevalence. Dr. Alycia Halladay, the foundation’s Chief Science Officer, noted, “This report is the most convincing evidence yet that changes in factors like access to services and de-stigmatization of autism spectrum disorders are leading to the increases in prevalence.”

As the debate over autism’s causes continues, Kennedy’s initiative promises to shed light on this complex issue, offering a deeper understanding of the environmental factors that may be contributing to the increasing number of diagnoses.

Source: AP News – Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says US autism cases are climbing at an ‘alarming rate’

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On March 23, 23andMe, the pioneer in at-home genetic testing, shocked the public by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, signaling a potential sale of the company. With 15 million customers relying on the service, many are now left wondering: What happens to my genetic data?

As privacy advocates raise alarms, and even two state attorneys general urge Americans to delete their data, 23andMe insists that its bankruptcy proceedings will not affect how it handles user information. But with the company’s future uncertain, experts believe there’s a huge incentive for corporations and researchers to get their hands on the treasure trove of genetic data 23andMe has accumulated.

Genetic data provides more than just information about your ancestry—it can reveal a lot about your health, food preferences, and even traits passed down through generations. Despite growing privacy concerns, this data holds incredible potential for industries ranging from medical research to advertising.

“Genetic data is permanent and unique,” says Katie Hasson, associate director for the Center for Genetics and Society. “It could reveal information about people who don’t even exist yet, many years from now.”

As 23andMe seeks a buyer, one thing is clear: corporations, advertisers, and medical researchers are eager to access the wealth of information embedded in these DNA profiles.

The value of genetic data goes far beyond simple ancestry reports. Take, for example, how genetics can influence food preferences. Researchers have discovered hundreds of genetic variants tied to specific tastes, such as liking or disliking certain foods. Gideon Nave, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, explains that genetic data could be more insightful than your shopping cart—especially since the items you buy may be for someone else.

“Genetic data can often tell us more about a person’s preferences than even their stated choices,” Nave says. “It’s a much deeper level of personalization for companies, especially when it comes to targeted advertising.”

Moreover, 23andMe’s health-related services offer subscribers insights into their genetic predispositions for certain diseases, like Type 2 diabetes or celiac disease. That’s where the real value lies for healthcare companies and researchers: using genetic data to better understand diseases, create personalized treatments, and improve diagnoses.

Healthcare professionals often rely on rules of thumb, tests, and symptom-checking to diagnose patients, but many conditions share similar symptoms. This is where combining genetic data with clinical information can make a difference, says Vasant Dhar, a professor of business and data science at NYU’s Stern School of Business.

“Doctors are following rules and doing tests, but a lot of diseases have similar symptoms,” Dhar explains. “Genetic data, combined with clinical information, could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better treatments.”

Healthcare research is poised to benefit greatly from genetic information, especially when it comes to developing tailored medical interventions. However, the potential for misuse also raises significant concerns.

While genetic data is highly valuable for research and healthcare, it also brings significant privacy risks. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) prohibits the use of genetic data in health insurance and employment decisions, but there are few regulations surrounding its use in other industries, like disability insurance.

Katie Hasson warns that genetic data could be exploited in ways that people aren’t even aware of. For example, genetic traits linked to health risks might be used for targeted advertising, potentially manipulating consumers based on information they don’t fully understand about themselves.

“There’s a darker side to this,” says Dhar. “With genetics, companies could know a lot more about you than you realize. That kind of personal information could be exploited in ways that aren’t fully transparent.”

23andMe’s potential sale wouldn’t be the first time a genetic testing company has been acquired. In 2020, private equity firm Blackstone acquired Ancestry.com. But there’s a key difference: genetic data doesn’t expire. Unlike traditional consumer data, genetic information can be useful for companies long into the future, even if it’s not immediately applied.

For instance, companies could use genetic data to shape future marketing strategies, develop new products, or even predict consumer behavior based on health traits.

However, as Nave points out, this also brings risks. “One of the dangers of genetic data is that it’s permanent. It doesn’t have an expiration date,” he says. “If companies ever use it for marketing, they could target consumers based on health traits they aren’t even aware of.”

As 23andMe enters this uncertain chapter, the future of its data—and its millions of users—remains in the balance. The company promises to continue selling its DNA test kits and offering subscriptions, but who will buy the company and what they will do with the data remains to be seen.

For now, the key takeaway is clear: genetic data is incredibly powerful, and it’s more than just a tool for tracing your family tree. It’s a valuable commodity with vast potential—and the companies that acquire it could hold your most personal information for years to come.

As the world of genetic data continues to evolve, privacy concerns are sure to rise. Whether consumers will have a say in how their information is used remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the sale of 23andMe’s data will open up a whole new world of possibilities—and risks.

Source: CNN – 23andMe’s DNA data is going up for sale. Here’s why companies might want it

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