Unproven stem cell infusions for autism draw FDA warnings and political support

Autistic children as young as 18 months are receiving unapproved umbilical cord stem cell infusions at US clinics, promoted with support from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and autism advocates, despite no proven benefit and FDA warnings that such treatments are likely illegal outside clinical trials; procedures can cost up to $20,000 per session and may require repeated top-ups, while a Duke University trial found little objective improvement and safety risks persist. The article also discusses Mexico‑based trials and marketing tactics by clinics exploiting regulatory gaps and misinterpretations of the Right‑to‑Try law.