By Matt Underwood Texas Sues Tylenol Makers, Claiming They Hid Autism Risks, and frankly, it’s hard to know where to begin. It’s almost unbelievable that this is actually happening. It’s a lawsuit launched by the state of Texas against the manufacturers of Tylenol, alleging that they hid risks related to autism. The reaction, across the board, seems to range from incredulity to outright anger.
The immediate sense is this lawsuit is going to get dismissed pretty quickly. The fact that credible health organizations like the World Health Organization and Johns Hopkins have found no link between acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) and autism should tell you something. It’s hard to imagine Texas has unearthed some groundbreaking evidence that these established institutions have missed. One has to wonder what Texas is hoping to gain, and at what cost.
A recurring theme is the expectation of a countersuit by the Tylenol makers. The suggestion is that they should sue Texas for defamation, slander, or similar charges. Given that the scientific community overwhelmingly refutes the claim of a link, a countersuit would be understandable.
The timing and motivation are called into question as well. Many believe this is nothing more than political theater. Some speculate that this is a move to keep a certain political base unified. The perception is that this is fueled by anger and misinformation, designed to keep a “lynch mob” mentality alive. This ties into larger themes of political strategy and the manipulation of information.
The historical context is also brought up, with the comparison to China’s Cultural Revolution. The idea is that when a government operates without accountability, wild claims can flourish. Then, there’s the timeline. Acetaminophen has been around for longer than the supposed spike in autism cases. Simple logic dictates one did not cause the other.
There’s a critical discussion of the changing diagnostic criteria for autism. Autism diagnoses today are different from diagnoses decades ago. More people are recognized as being on the spectrum because the understanding of the condition has evolved. This is where blaming Tylenol, or vaccines, or anything else, becomes a problem.
The potential financial implications for Texas are significant. The cost to taxpayers is emphasized repeatedly, as is the expectation of the state losing the case. If this lawsuit were based on facts, it would be another thing, but this is clearly about something else.
There are many accusations that the whole situation is part of a larger agenda. The lawsuit is just another example of how this supposed agenda is unfolding, whatever it may be. The general tone is, this is all just a waste of time and money.
It seems like there’s a strong belief that the Texas Attorney General is exploiting a politically charged issue for personal or political gain. The suggestion that Tylenol’s manufacturers are just targets of a “hit job” also arises. Some consider this a punishment for the companies’ political contributions.
The lack of evidence to support the claims is a major point of contention. The belief is that Texas is making accusations without a shred of proof. “Discovery is going to be awesome,” is the hope.
The role of specific political figures like Ken Paxton, Greg Abbott, and even Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are mentioned as instigators. The idea that these individuals are behind the lawsuit, and are influencing the narrative, is significant.
Ultimately, the consensus appears to be that the lawsuit is frivolous. It seems to be driven by political motives, and is not grounded in science. It is expected to fail. It is seen as a disservice to the people of Texas, who will bear the financial burden. The whole thing seems utterly ridiculous.