Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to investigate potential environmental causes of autism, citing a statistic that claims 25% of children with autism are nonverbal. This claim has sparked significant discussion, as many commenters argue that the statistic misrepresents the severity of autism and question the credibility of Kennedy and his associates. Critics express skepticism regarding the scientific validity of this endeavor, suggesting that it may be rooted in unscientific beliefs, particularly the discredited notion that vaccines cause autism. Furthermore, there is a broader concern about the implications of this research on the scientific community and the potential political motivations behind it. While some commenters are open to exploring environmental influences, they caution against drawing direct connections to factors like vaccines without robust evidence. The overall sentiment leans towards skepticism about Kennedy’s motivations and methods, with concerns about potential misinformation perpetuated by his campaign.