EU & WHO Push Back Against Trump’s Autism Warnings

Intermediate | September 30, 2025

✨ 혼자서 기사를 소리 내어 읽거나 튜터를 따라 각 단락을 반복해서 읽으세요. 레벨...

Backlash to Trump’s Claim

Trump’s Controversial Comments

Earlier this week, President Trump, speaking alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy and several medical professionals and researchers, linked autism to two controversial factors: childhood vaccines and the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol / paracetamol) by pregnant women. They cited several scientific studies, including research from Harvard, to support the claim. These remarks drew quick and sharp responses from health authorities around the world. Experts quickly pointed out that the studies Trump’s team cited had serious limitations and were not considered strong enough evidence to change medical guidance. This controversy became known as part of the Trump autism pregnancy warnings. (Reuters)

Swift Rejection from Health Authorities

In response, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both rejected Trump’s warnings. They said there is no solid scientific evidence connecting acetaminophen use during pregnancy to autism. (Reuters) The EMA declared that its existing guidelines on pain relief during pregnancy will not change. (Pharmalive)

What the Regulators Are Saying

EMA Holds Its Ground

The EMA emphasized that available evidence has found no link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism. Their statement stressed that pregnant women can continue to use it when clinically appropriate, using the lowest dose and frequency necessary. This was seen as a direct rebuttal to the Trump autism pregnancy warnings. (Reuters)

WHO Urges Caution

The WHO added that the evidence remains inconsistent—meaning some studies suggest a possible correlation, but none prove a causal link. They warned against drawing strong conclusions from weak or contradictory data. (Reuters)

Why the Debate Matters

Risks for Public Behavior

This story is more than medical theory. If Trump’s claims were accepted without strong evidence, they could influence public behavior and even policy. Pregnant women might avoid needed medicine, or health systems might impose warning labels or restrictions. Already, pressure is building in the U.S. to revise guidance on acetaminophen packaging. (Le Monde)

Defending Scientific Rigor

At the same time, regulators are defending scientific standards. The EMA says it will not change its guidelines unless new, strong evidence emerges. And WHO insists decisions must rest on high-quality studies, not political statements.

What to Watch Moving Forward

Possible U.S. Actions

The key question now is how U.S. health agencies will respond. Will warning labels be revised or official guidance changed? Could this debate lead to lawsuits or regulatory battles? Or will it simply fade if the evidence remains weak?

Future Research

Another possibility is that Trump’s comments inspire new research to test the acetaminophen-autism hypothesis more thoroughly. For now, Europe and the WHO are united in saying: don’t jump to conclusions without proof.

Vocabulary

Inconsistent (adjective) — not always the same; conflicting.
Example: “Studies gave inconsistent results about medicine side effects.”
Causal link (noun) — a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
Example: “No study proved a causal link between Tylenol and autism.”
Regulator (noun) — an authority or agency that governs rules.
Example: “The EMA acts as a drug regulator in Europe.”
Guideline (noun) — recommended rules or principles.
Example: “Doctors follow clinical guidelines for treatment.”
Evidence (noun) — facts or data used to support a claim.
Example: “Strong evidence is needed for major health claims.”
Interpretation (noun) — the act of explaining meaning.
Example: “Different scientists offered varying interpretations of the data.”
Revision (noun) — change or correction.
Example: “They considered a revision to labeling rules.”
Hypothesis (noun) — a proposed explanation to be tested.
Example: “The acetaminophen-autism idea remains a hypothesis.”
Contradictory (adjective) — in conflict or opposing.
Example: “Some study results were contradictory, making conclusions hard.”
Political statement (noun) — a remark made for political effect.
Example: “Experts warned not to treat unverified health claims as political statements.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What did Trump claim about autism and acetaminophen?
How did the EMA and WHO respond to those claims?
Why do they caution against changing guidance now?
What risks might come from accepting Trump’s claims prematurely?
How do regulators balance caution and protection in health policy?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

How should public health policy respond when political figures make medical claims?
When is it appropriate to set new guidelines or change existing ones in medicine?
Can public trust in health institutions survive politically controversial debates?
How do we decide when a hypothesis becomes strong enough to act on?
Should individuals wait for scientific consensus before changing personal behavior?

Idiom / Phrase

“On shaky ground” — to be in a weak or uncertain position.
Trump’s claim linking acetaminophen and autism is on shaky ground, because scientific evidence doesn’t firmly support it.

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This article was inspired by Reuters: EU, WHO counter Trump’s warnings on autism and pregnancy.