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The renowned Cuban scientist Eduardo López-Collazo warned that there is no proven causal relationship between the use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), despite some studies having explored potential links. “The evidence remains inconclusive,” he stressed in a recent post on his social media.
López-Collazo, scientific director of the Sanitary Research Institute of La Paz University Hospital (IdiPAZ) in Madrid, recalled that autism was first clinically described in 1943, while paracetamol was marketed starting in 1955, thus there is no direct temporal correlation between the two events.
His statement comes shortly after the White House announced the "Autism Action Plan", a new national strategy led by President Donald J. Trump that includes, among other measures, an official FDA warning regarding the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and the promotion of leucovorin as a potential treatment for certain symptoms of autism.
According to the official document, the FDA will issue a notice to physicians and update the safety label of the medication, based on research indicating a possible association between prenatal use of acetaminophen and alterations in neurological development.
Nonetheless, López-Collazo insisted that science has not yet proven a direct link. “Although some studies explore possible connections, the evidence remains inconclusive,” he reiterated.
Controversy over Trump's statements on autism in Cuba
The announcement of the plan coincides with new controversial statements from Trump, who suggested that there is less autism in Cuba because they cannot afford Tylenol. "There is a rumor, and I don't know if it's true or not, that in Cuba they don't have Tylenol because they don't have the money to buy Tylenol, and practically they don't have autism," said the president.
The statement has been widely criticized by experts and media, who remind us that Cuba does not have up-to-date epidemiological data on autism and that the shortage of medications on the island is a chronic problem.
Experts warn that the lack of diagnoses should not be interpreted as an absence of the disorder. The insufficiency of diagnostic tools, the limited national scientific dissemination, and the structural health crisis hinder the detection and monitoring of cases.
Who is Eduardo López-Collazo?
Born in Jovellanos, Matanzas, Eduardo López-Collazo is one of the most recognized Cuban scientists in Spain. He graduated in Nuclear Physics from the University of Havana and obtained his doctorate in Pharmacy from the Complutense University of Madrid, where he has been residing since the 1990s. He is currently the only foreigner to direct a research center in Spain.
He been included in lists such as the 100 most creative Spaniards in the business world (Forbes), and also among the most influential LGBTIQ+ people in Spain, according to El Mundo and El Español.
In 2022, he was elected as a member of the Academy of Sciences of Latin America (ACAL) for his contributions to the study of diseases such as cancer, COVID-19, and neuroimmunological disorders.
In addition to his scientific work, López-Collazo is an active communicator and a staunch advocate for critical thinking and scientific evidence. His intervention on this topic contributes to a series of publications under the tag #CienciaYdatos, with which he battles misinformation on social media.
Frequently asked questions about autism and the use of paracetamol
Is there a proven relationship between paracetamol and autism?
There is no proven causal relationship between the use of paracetamol and autism. Although some studies have explored possible links, the evidence remains inconclusive. Medical authorities such as the FDA and WHO do not recognize this relationship as causal.
What measures has the U.S. government taken regarding the use of paracetamol during pregnancy?
The United States government, under the administration of Donald Trump, has announced a plan that includes an official warning from the FDA regarding the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. The FDA will update the safety label of the medication, based on research indicating a potential association between its prenatal use and alterations in neurological development.
What is the situation of autism and access to medications in Cuba?
In Cuba, there is no updated epidemiological data on autism due to inadequate diagnostic tools and a lack of public statistics. Furthermore, the country faces a chronic shortage of medications, making access to basic and specialized treatments difficult.
What statements has Donald Trump made about autism in Cuba?
Donald Trump suggested that there is less autism in Cuba because they cannot buy Tylenol, generating controversy and criticism from experts. This claim lacks scientific basis and does not have data to support it. In reality, the lack of diagnoses should not be interpreted as the absence of the disorder.
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