Could drinking dairy cause or worsen Autism? PETA says so, and the organization's new "Got Autism?" ad campaign is already drawing the ire of activists within the Autistic community.
PETA's ads state that "Studies have shown a link between cow's milk and Autism." The animal rights organization will run a "Got Autism?" billboard in Newark, New Jersey. The location was chosen because New Jersey, particularly the Newark area, had a higher rate of Autism occurrence than 14 other states studied. As evidence for their claim, PETA cites a study of 20 children with autism, who experienced "a major reduction in autistic behavior" after dairy products were removed from their diet.
Ari Ne'eman of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network today condemned the "Got Autism?" campaign, releasing a statement accusing PETA of fearmongering and exploiting the Autistic community.
"By refusing to acknowledge the right of the autistic community to be referred to with respect instead of as the focus of public hysteria, PETA contributes to a state of affairs which marginalizes the disability community," said Ne'eman. "People with disabilities, our families and our supporters deserve better than the exploitation and fear-mongering that comes about when disability is used as a means of scaring the general populace. For millions across the globe, the answer to PETA's 'Got Autism?' question is an unequivocal yes. That should not spell the end of our lives or prevent us from being fully included throughout society."
Filed under: protests, advocacy, autism, vaccination, advertisers, autistic self-advocacy network, peta, outrage, exploitation, ari ne'eman, milk
