Early Circumcision and Autism? Huh?

Is Circumcision Linked to Autism? Why RFK Jr.’s Claim Isn’t as Crazy as You Think

Posted on October 10, 2025

You’ve probably seen the headlines or the viral X posts mocking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent claim that circumcision might be linked to autism, with Tylenol as the potential culprit. The soundbites from his October 9, 2025, White House cabinet meeting—where he cited “two studies” showing circumcised boys have “double the rate of autism”—have been called everything from “absurd” to “pseudoscientific.” President Trump’s enthusiastic nod, claiming “tremendous evidence,” didn’t help calm the storm. The internet’s having a field day, with quips about “mohels causing autism” and “RFK Jr.’s wildest theory yet.” But before you write this off as just another fringe rant, let’s take a step back. The claim isn’t bulletproof, but it’s not as ridiculous as the pile-on suggests. There’s a kernel of science here worth exploring, and dismissing it outright risks missing a chance to ask hard questions about early childhood health.

The Studies Behind the Claim

RFK Jr. didn’t pull this out of thin air—he’s leaning on two peer-reviewed studies, though he didn’t name them in the meeting. Based on reporting and his past advocacy, here’s what he’s likely referencing:

1. 2015 Danish Study (Frisch & Simonsen, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine)
   This study looked at health records of ~342,000 boys born in Denmark between 1994 and 2003. It found that boys who were circumcised had a 46% higher chance of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis before age 10, and an 83% higher risk for “infantile autism” (diagnosed before age 5) compared to uncircumcised boys. The researchers speculated that the pain and stress of the procedure might trigger neurodevelopmental changes, possibly through inflammation or trauma. [Read the study]
2. 2013 Cross-Country Analysis (Berenz, Journal on Circumcision)
   This one compared ASD rates across eight countries, noting that nations with higher circumcision rates (like the U.S.) tended to have higher autism prevalence than low-circumcision countries (like Denmark). The correlation was moderate (r=0.59), but the study didn’t claim causation—just a pattern worth investigating. [Note: This study is less accessible; no direct DOI found, but it’s referenced in critiques like this 2015 analysis.]

These studies aren’t perfect. They’re observational, meaning they spot trends but can’t prove circumcision (or Tylenol, often used for post-procedure pain) causes autism. Factors like socioeconomic status, cultural differences, or diagnostic biases (e.g., religious families seeking earlier evaluations) could explain the patterns. The Danish study had no data on Tylenol use, so linking it to acetaminophen is a leap. And the cross-country study? It’s too broad, ignoring individual factors like genetics or screening practices. Still, these aren’t blog posts or Reddit threads—they’re published research, and they raise a question: could early medical interventions affect brain development?

Why the Mockery Misses the Mark

The backlash has been relentless. Autism advocacy groups call it “pseudo-scientific,” experts like UPenn’s David Mandell label the studies “riddled with flaws,” and some politicians even accused RFK Jr. of antisemitism for touching a procedure tied to Jewish tradition. X is ablaze with memes—clips of the meeting captioned with snark like “Trump’s barber must be an autism expert.” But this knee-jerk dismissal smells more like a reflex to discredit RFK Jr. than a fair look at the science.

Why so harsh? RFK Jr.’s history doesn’t help—he’s pushed debunked claims like vaccines causing autism, which 20+ rigorous studies have refuted. As the new HHS Secretary, his words carry weight, and critics worry he’ll divert funds from proven autism therapies to chase hunches (he’s already pledged $100M+ for environmental research while cutting other grants). There’s also fear that blaming circumcision or Tylenol could guilt parents or scare them away from safe pain relief—newborn Tylenol sales reportedly dropped 15% after his September comments.

But here’s where the critics overplay their hand: they’re acting like the idea of early-life stressors affecting neurodevelopment is pure fantasy. It’s not. Studies on chronic inflammation, prenatal infections, or severe trauma in infants show some link to developmental changes. Circumcision is a painful procedure (the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends anesthesia for a reason), and Tylenol, while safe in moderation, has raised eyebrows in high-dose studies. A 2018 French cohort hinted at a weak ASD risk with heavy prenatal acetaminophen use, enough for the FDA to add a “potential risk” warning in September 2025. These are small signals, not proof, but they’re not nothing.

The Bigger Picture: Autism and Environmental Triggers

Autism rates have climbed—1 in 36 kids in the U.S. by 2023, up from 1 in 150 in 2000. Critics chalk this up to better diagnosis and broader criteria (DSM-5’s 2013 update), not a true “epidemic.” Genetics dominate, explaining 80–90% of ASD risk (twin studies show 70–90% heritability). But that leaves room for environmental factors—think parental age, air pollution, or prenatal infections. RFK Jr.’s pushing to explore more, like routine medical interventions. Is it so wild to ask if a painful procedure or a common drug could play a role, especially when we know so little about infant brain sensitivity?

The studies he cites are shaky on causation, sure. A 2024 JAMA analysis of 2.5 million kids found no Tylenol-ASD link in sibling-controlled data [Read the study], and meta-analyses (like the CDC’s 2023 review) see no neurodevelopmental hit from circumcision. But science isn’t a monolith—new data can shift perspectives. RFK Jr.’s call for fresh studies isn’t inherently silly; it’s a chance to test a hypothesis. If he’s wrong, we’ll know more. If he’s onto something, we’ve been too quick to laugh.

Why This Matters to You

If you’re a parent, expecting, or just curious, this debate isn’t about picking fights—it’s about asking what’s safe for kids. Circumcision’s a personal choice with benefits (like lower UTI risk) and risks (like pain or rare complications). Tylenol’s a go-to for fever and pain, but overuse isn’t harmless. Autism’s complex, and families deserve answers, not dogma. Instead of mocking RFK Jr., we should push for rigorous research—double-blind trials, not just correlations—to settle this.

The real silliness? Shutting down questions because they come from a controversial guy. Science thrives on scrutiny, not snark. So next time you see an X post dunking on this, ask yourself: what if there’s a grain of truth here? Demand better studies, not better memes.

Want to dig deeper? Check the Danish study (DOI: 10.1177/0141076814565942) or the 2024 JAMA paper (DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.1589). Got thoughts? Drop them in the comments—we’re all ears.