RFK Jr Autism Study Led by Man Who Injected Children With Anti-Puberty Drug

David Geier, the man appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead a federal study on the causes of autism, previously treated autistic children with puberty-blocking drug Lupron.

Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Kennedy Jr. appointed Geier to lead a federal study on autism causes last month.

Kennedy has repeatedly referred to an autism "epidemic" in the United States, claiming the rising number of diagnoses is driven by environmental rather than genetic factors—claims disputed by many researchers and advocacy groups.

Why It Matters

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to appoint David Geier, a figure previously disciplined for administering puberty-blocking drugs to autistic children without proper oversight, has drawn scrutiny from public health experts and advocacy groups regarding the integrity of the study.

"You'd think you'd want a fresh eye," said Edward L. Hunter, a former head of the Washington office of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

He told The New York Times: "This isn't a fresh eye. They have already published their results, and spending all this time and money is not going to help anyone. I am quite certain they'll come to the same conclusion."

What To know

In 2006, David Geier and father, Dr. Mark Geier, published a draft study in Autoimmunity Reviews claiming Lupron could be used to treat autism.

Their theory held that mercury from vaccine preservatives, combined with elevated testosterone levels, contributed to autism symptoms. By administering Lupron to suppress testosterone, they argued, they could reduce mercury's alleged neurotoxic effects.

The study reported "very significant overall clinical improvements" in autistic children treated with Lupron and proposed the drug as a therapeutic breakthrough. The pair even filed for a patent on the use of lupron for this purpose but the study drew criticism over ethical and scientific concerns.

In 2011, the Maryland State Board of Physicians concluded that the Geiers had violated standards of care and the following year Mark Geier was stripped of his medical license while David Geier was sanctioned for practicing medicine without a license

Adverse side effects of Lupron include seizures, thinning of the bones, allergic reactions, hot flushes and headaches, according to Lupron Depot.

Newsweek has contacted the HHS via email, for comment.

Who Is David Geier?

David Geier is known primarily for his collaborative research with his father, Dr. Mark Geier, on the proposed link between thimerosal—a mercury-based preservative formerly used in some vaccines—and autism.

Kennedy has repeatedly cited the Geiers' work in his books and public advocacy efforts.

In a now-retracted Rolling Stone article called "Deadly Immunity," Kennedy Jr. credited the Geiers for their access to CDC vaccine data which he said they used to "demonstrate a powerful correlation between thimerosal and neurological damage in children."

Geier has a bachelor's degree in biology, but no medical qualifications.

What Is Lupron?

Lupron (leuprolide acetate) is a prescription medication used to treat several medical conditions, including hormone-sensitive cancers and certain reproductive health issues.

One of its FDA-approved uses is to help delay puberty in children who experience precocious puberty, a condition where puberty starts unusually early.

By suppressing the body's production of certain hormones, Lupron can pause the physical changes associated with puberty until a more appropriate age.

Treatment with Lupron, which is administered via injection, is typically supervised by a specialist and involves regular monitoring to ensure that hormone levels are appropriately managed and that development resumes normally once treatment is discontinued​.

It can also be used to relieve pain and reduce tissue growth for women with endometriosis and and to lower testosterone levels in cases of advanced prostate cancer.

What People Are Saying

RFK Jr. said in a statement on Tuesday: "The autism epidemic has now reached a scale unprecedented in human history because it affects the young. The risks and costs of this crisis are a thousand times more threatening to our country than COVID-19. Autism is preventable and it is unforgivable that we have not yet identified the underlying causes. We should have had these answers 20 years ago."

Autism Society said in a statement earlier this month: "The rise in prevalence — from 1 in 36 in 2020 to 1 in 31 in 2022 — may reflect several factors including greater awareness, improved screening and diagnostics — especially in communities that were previously underrepresented through advocacy efforts to better support the Autism community. Increased awareness of autism plays a pivotal role in educating individuals, parents, educators and healthcare providers to better identify Autistic traits and characteristics."

What Happens Next

Kennedy has stated that the HHS study will identify the causes of autism by September.