Cut to the Science

Scott LaFee on Sep 16, 2026

Cross off another speculative cause of autism recently voiced by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who claimed infant circumcision doubles the rate of autism, speculating without proof that the use of post-procedure acetaminophen (Tylenol) as a painkiller was part of the reason.

Kennedy alluded to a pair of observational studies published more than a decade ago.

A new study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, followed a cohort of nearly 3,000 boys from birth into childhood. It found no link between circumcision and autism.

Circumcision rates have been declining in the U.S. At the same time, the number of autism diagnoses in children in the U.S. has increased dramatically in recent decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly one child in 150 had an autism diagnosis in 2000, but as of 2022, the CDC reported a prevalence of one child in 31 among 8-year-olds.

It's not clear whether there has been an actual increase in autism prevalence or if the higher numbers reflect greater awareness, increased screening and changes in diagnostic practices.

Also, there is no scientific evidence that taking Tylenol causes autism.

Body of Knowledge

The growth rate of hair is genetically determined, and it varies by individual. However, assorted studies suggest that hair overall tends to grow faster during the summer months, possibly due to hormones released more abundantly in warmer temperatures. On the negative side, hair also tends to be shed more frequently and in greater numbers when it gets hot.

Doc Talk

Asystole: Not an insult but something more serious: the absence of detectable electrical activity in the heart

Phobia of the Week

Kyphophobia: Fear of stooping (does not include stooping to bad puns and jokes)

Food for Thought

Butylated hydroxytoluene is often abbreviated on food labels as BHT. It's a preservative used to prevent oils and fats from oxidizing, i.e., turning rancid. It's used widely not just in foods like vegetable oils, cereals and packaged snacks but also in cosmetics, petroleum products and medicinal topical creams.

Some research suggests BHT has beneficial antioxidant properties, but other studies in animals indicate high doses may influence hormone levels or act as a tumor promoter.

Best Medicine

Patient: "Doctor, I swallowed a bone!"

Doctor: "Are you choking?"

Patient: "No, I really did."

Observation

"We've had some fun tonight, considering we're all gonna die someday." -- Comedian Steve Martin

Medical History

This week in 1936, the first U.S. prefrontal lobotomy surgery was performed by surgeons on a 63-year-old woman at the George Washington University Hospital. The controversial procedure, which involved severing nerve pathways in the brain's frontal lobes to treat severe mental illnesses, had been developed by Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz in 1935.

Moniz would receive the 1949 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work, though it produced mixed patient outcomes. The procedure fell out of favor in the 1950s due to high fatality rates and the introduction of safe, effective antipsychotic drugs.

Measure Me

A urine color chart for the next time you're just standing around.

-- Clear: Potential overhydration

-- Pale yellow: Healthy hydration

-- Dark yellow/amber: Dehydration; need more water

-- Orange: Dehydration, medications or potential liver/bile duct issues

-- Red/pink: Foods (beets/blackberries), blood in urine (kidney stones, infections, or tumor)

-- Brown/tea-colored: Severe dehydration or liver disease

-- Green/blue: Food dyes, medications or, rarely, a bacterial infection

-- Cloudy/foamy: UTI, kidney stones or excess protein

Self-Exam

Q: How much gas, in pints, does the average adult pass per day?

A) 1-3

B) 4-5

C) 6-7

D) 9-10

A: A) 1-3 pints per day, which translates to 14 to 23 episodes

Curtains Call

Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China (259-210 B.C.), died after ingesting several pills of mercury, which he believed would grant him eternal life.

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To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.