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Research shows autism is caused by genes, not vaccines
Looking at the interplay between genes and environment
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By Peter Clark (Senior Editor, Autism Info Center) Thursday 8th January 2026 |
Leading researchers have reaffirmed that autism is primarily driven by genetics, countering recent political claims from the US Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F.
Kennedy Jr., who has sought to identify a singular environmental cause.
Despite Kennedy's dismissal of genetic research as a "dead end" and his missed deadline to identify an external culprit by September, scientific consensus remains firm, and experts assert that autism results from complex interactions between hundreds of genes and prenatal factors, rather than post-birth triggers like vaccines.
Evidence from twin studies highlights this strong biological basis, with identical twins showing a 60% to 90% concordance rate for autism, compared to just 20% for fraternal twins.
Researchers compare the heritability of autism to height, where multiple genes interact with environmental conditions in the womb, such as parental age or exposure to pollution.
While Kennedy has controversially cut funding for over 50 studies investigating these established links, a new US$50 million initiative has been announced to explore how genes and environmental factors intersect.
Scientists emphasise that future research must build upon these established facts rather than chasing disproven theories, ensuring resources effectively support the autistic community.
Source: MedicalXpress (USA)
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-autism-genes-vaccines.html
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