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Health1h ago89% confidenceConfidence 89% — the share of independent, credible sources corroborating the core facts.

Autistic Children Receiving Unapproved Stem Cell Injections Backed by Health Secretary RFK Jr

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Clinics across the US are administering unapproved stem cell treatments to autistic children as young as 18 months old, costing up to $20,000 per treatment, with no scientific evidence of efficacy. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has publicly supported these providers despite the FDA warning that such treatments outside approved trials are likely fraudulent and carry risks including blindness, infections, and tumor formation. The practice reflects broader concerns about Kennedy's dismantling of federal health research and his promotion of alternative medicine approaches.

Clinics in Florida, Texas, and other US states are offering unapproved stem cell treatments derived from umbilical cords to families with autistic children, often involving sedation with ketamine and intravenous infusions costing up to $20,000 per session with recommendations for repeated treatments. The most comprehensive clinical trial to date, conducted by Duke University on 180 children, found insignificant benefits and no major safety concerns when properly administered, yet the FDA has documented serious complications from under-regulated applications including blindness, tumor formation, and infections. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has actively supported these providers by appearing at industry summits and appointing a stem cell treatment advocate to his Autism Coordinating Committee, despite the FDA's explicit warning that stem cell treatments offered outside approved clinical trials represent likely deception and illegal products. Kennedy's 16-month tenure has included firing federal health officials, dismissing scientific advisers, defunding autism research, and attempting to reduce childhood vaccination recommendations, creating space for alternative providers to expand their reach to vulnerable families.

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  • Autistic children injected with unapproved stem cell treatments supported by RFK Jr

  • Autistic children injected with unapproved stem cell treatments supported by RFK Jr

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