Kennedy, Hotez says, made a “false statement” in claiming that the scientific community denies that there are any environmental factors at play. “I’ve said to RFK Jr. that there could be an environmental component, but not vaccines, because autism occurs in fetal brain development well before kids ever see vaccines.”

A new CDC report stated that autism rates are rising in the U.S., as more than 3% of America's kids are being diagnosed. A spokesperson from Autism Speaks reacts to the latest data.