1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

The proposed autism registry utilizing private medical records from pharmacies, hospitals, and wearable devices raises grave privacy and ethical concerns. Collecting sensitive health data without explicit consent from individuals is a violation of privacy rights. Furthermore, categorizing autism as a "preventable disease" and seeking an unsubstantiated "environmental toxin" as the cause is unscientific and stigmatizing for the autism community. This misguided effort disregards the complex neurological and genetic factors behind autism spectrum disorders. It oversimplifies a condition that encompasses a wide range of experiences and needs support, not a purported "cure." Gathering personal data on such a broad scale for an ill-defined purpose sets a dangerous precedent of government overreach into citizens' private lives. Instead of pursuing an ineffective registry, resources should be directed towards providing early intervention services, accommodations in schools and workplaces, and fostering greater acceptance and inclusion for neurodivergent individuals. The autism community deserves respect, understanding, and access to evidence-based support, not unwarranted surveillance under the guise of misplaced causation theories. This proposal must be reevaluated to uphold civil liberties and abandon the notion of autism as a condition requiring a mythical cure.