Are Autism and Vaccines Linked?

Are Autism and Vaccines Linked?

Over the last decade, autism has gone from a rare and misunderstood condition to a disorder that may affect as many as 1.5 million Americans. Without a clear explanation in sight, parents and doctors have worked tirelessly to pinpoint the cause of autism, but the answer remains elusive. Are vaccines the missing link?

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Are Autism and Vaccines Linked?

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  • Sylvia
    The Timing Is Wrong

    Never before in our history have we vaccinated newborns. This has been only in practice for less than 20 years.
    Also in the past 20 years we have seen the number of vaccines on the mandatory schedule schedule go up dramaticaly.
    During this time the numbers of parents reporting severe vaccine reactions in their babies have gone up dramaticaly too.
    But we are supposed to believe that this is just a mass coincidence?
    If a parent reports adverse reactions to any other drug, they are taken seriously. But when they report vaccine reactions, their doctors tell them it was a coincidence? The system is crazy and out of control.
    And what do parents get? Epidemiological studies to "reasure" them that vaccines are "safe". Great.
    Why is no one looking at the actual vaccine injured children to find out why they were injured, so future children can possibly be spared?

    - Sylvia July 24, 2008 9:13AM

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    • Faye
      Faye

      Every time a child becomes grossly ill or injured by a vaccine the Anti-Safe Vaccine Zealots say, "It is just a coincidence." If that is the case we are in a coincidence epidemic! Why are vaccines the only drugs considered safe for everyone all the time? They contain serious components people can be allergic to. Safe? I think not.

      - FayeUS August 29, 2008 3:45PM

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      • Kev Leitch
        100% safe?

        Faye - I've never seen anyone claim that vaccines are 100% safe 100% of the time. Maybe you could provide a link to a 'vaccine zealot' saying this?

        - Kev LeitchGB August 30, 2008 12:13PM

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        • Sullivan
          Are people who claim vaccines don't work "zealots"?

          On the other side of the coin--I've seen people claim that vaccines don't work at all. That is a clearly incorrect statement.

          - Sullivan September 5, 2008 5:39PM

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        • tmaxredalia
          10,000 Vaccines?

          Here's a word from Dr. Paul Offit: “Our analysis shows that infants have the theoretical capacity to respond to about 10,000 vaccines at once,”

          What response would that be? Exploding? That's several liters of vaccine.

          He seems to think vaccines are über safe. Not the 100 percent quote you asked for, but a rather telling example of how far the vaccine industry will go to avoid responsibility. Another good example is the Vaccine Court, which bills taxpayers for vaccine injury costs.

          And there's this: "This vaccine has proved to be 100% safe and over 90% effective. Since the use of these two methods of control, the disease caused by T. annulata in cattle in China has been controlled."

          and this:
          “The public in general has been conveyed the message that OPV is absolutely safe vaccine and there is no contraindication to its administration. Can we be accused of withholding vital information from the parents?”
          Paul Y. Contraindications of OPV. Indian Pediatr 1999; 36: 318 – 319."

          and this
          "The availability of an absolutely safe vaccine means that a policy of active immunization for those at risk from infection with HBV can be implemented."
          From " drugs and addictive behaviour: a guide to treatment" By Hamid Ghodse

          and this
          "The oral polio vaccine is an absolutely safe vaccine which cannot cause death even if it loses potency."
          Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare A. Raja

          and this
          "Scientists developed an absolutely safe vaccine some
          years ago and we in Western Europe are obliged by law to have our pets
          immunised annually from the age of six months."
          Mrs. Barbara Locher

          and this
          "A few days ago, a friend kindly broke my long writer’s block (so many subjects, so little time), with a question about vaccines. She had heard a radio ad for a study in which a new AIDS vaccine candidate would be tested. The ad stated that the vaccine was perfectly safe.

          and this
          "At the moment, the only “perfectly safe” vaccine is the subunit vaccine (with the caveat as long as your not allergic to what its grown in, like yeast or eggs – the vaccine itself, however, is perfectly safe)."
          Ubergeek Theatre

          and this
          "Lastly, there is a perfectly safe vaccine for the flu, easy to make, costing only $1.50 a shot."
          reply posted on 13-7-2009 @ 08:36 AM by Kailassa

          and this
          "What kind of sick fool thinks it is okay for babies to die of pertussis when there is a perfectly safe vaccine to prevent that event?"
          HCN

          and this
          "We have developed a fully effective, perfectly safe vaccine for HPV -- unless it mutates, this should be an extinct affliction."
          Posted by Ezra Klein on November 17, 2005 10:50 AM | Permalink

          and this
          "However, due to fear of using blood products, a completely new and totally safe vaccine was made by genetic engineering using no blood products at all."
          Dr. Bornstein
          http://www.ibabydoc.com/online/diseasehepatitisb.asp

          and this
          "These proteins include insulin for the treatment of diabetes , tPA and streptokinase for cardiac treatment, human growth hormone, a vaccine against hepatitis B (modified virus without genetic information resulting in a totally safe vaccine), chymosin (animal rennet) for cheese manufacture, enzymes for detergents, monoclonal antibodies, interferon, and a range of many other therapeutic proteins and industrial enzymes."
          Juan A. Asenjo
          http://www.ejbiotechnology.info/content/vol3/issue2/editorial.html


          Perhaps the translator made a mistake? But there are doctors making the same safety claim to their patients.

          - tmaxredaliaUS August 22, 2009 5:19PM

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  • Just Beth
    Chromosome trigger

    As this is a debate close to my heart. I unknowingly married an Asperger and we know our oldest son also has it. Now with that being said; I am some what of a daily observance Expert of high functioning autism. From what I've been able to trace points indicate his mother's side of the family. I've done sleepless research in the subject of Autism for 3 years. From information I've gathered on both sides. I believe it on a cellar level of genetics that is rejecting the the chemicals from vaccine mixtures. during developmental stages when vaccines are received the DNA has an "allergic" reaction. which shuts down further developmental stages in certain DNA structure from certain families that haven't developed the immunity needed for those vaccines I also believe that those family's affected already have an auto immune to the disease being vaccinated from in the first place which is why the have a reaction to vaccines. Possibly related to the black death survivors DNA set up. Think on it.

    - Just Beth July 24, 2008 11:22AM

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  • Sonja West
    It made my son far worse.

    I am not sure whether vaccines cause autism. I do know vaccines make autism far worse and can cause symptoms to show that may otherwise have lain dormant. When my son received each separate set of vaccinations he became more encapsulated and showed more autistic symptoms each time. I am not one to say stop all vaccinations but do space them out and GREEN our vaccines.

    - Sonja WestUS July 24, 2008 1:20PM

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    • Melissa Chilton
      More symptoms after every shot.

      Each time that my son had a immunisation shot the Autism signs reared there head. He was four when he was diagonsed. As a baby he would make eye contact eat anything that was placed in front of him and be a happy baby. After his twelve month shot he became a fussy eater, didnt talk or walk, would wiggle away from our touch and many more things. My husband and i totally agree that immunisation plays a huge role. He has know genetic results to suggest anything along those lines. One shot doesnt fit all.

      - Melissa Chilton September 4, 2008 9:31PM

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  • Arel
    Personal evidence

    3 kids:
    1, Vaccinated - has ADHD
    2, Vaccinated - Autism diagnosed at 20 months
    3, Not Vaccinated - No problems

    As far as I am concerned, that is all the evidence I need.

    Our revenge? The autistic child is now considered recovered thanks to early intervention, therapy, and a great DAN doctor

    - Arel July 24, 2008 1:21PM

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    • Sullivan
      Statistics of 1

      You may be interested in comments quoted on the Scientific American blog recently:

      From the post "Measles Is Back, And It's Because Your Kids Aren't Vaccinated"
      http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=measles-is-back-and-its-because-you-2008-08-22

      "Many, if not most, of the younger siblings [of autistic children] never have any vaccinations," says Filipek, who believes that autism is not caused by vaccines. "And they are as autistic as they day is long."

      Filipek, in this case, is Dr. Pauline Filipek. She's an excellent autism researcher and clinician, and one of the few researchers who has already looked at mitochondria and autism.

      - Sullivan August 22, 2008 10:05PM

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    • Paula in Wisconsin
      The evidence is relavent

      I have 4 sons. All have the same father and same blood type. Our 12 and 9 year have "regressive autism" our 5 and 3 year old (no shots ever, not even vitamin K) are healthy and doing great. I can COUNT the times on one hand the two little guys have gotten sick or thrown up. My two older sons I have a calendar of the first 3 years and All the times the have been sick or hspitalized. We've had their titters tested when we finally became aware to do this. both older boys have contracted EVERY live virus they were injected with. The hep B is actually a strain of G and H, the SAME VIRUS THEY WERE INJECTED WITH to build antibodies. We have the evidence, we just don't have the MONEY or TIME to FIGHT this . WE CHOOSE LIFE for Our SONs and have been putting all our time and effert in a direction to heal them. Remorgaging our home TWICE, a second and third morgage. The evidence is what it is. You can lead the horse to water but you can't make it drink, just get a new horse and keep on going and keep on praying. Blessing to all, goodnight.

      - Paula in Wisconsin August 29, 2008 6:58PM

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    • AutismNewsBeat
      Anecdotal evidence

      Thank you for your personal anecdote.

      - AutismNewsBeatUS March 5, 2009 2:39PM

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  • Ds Advocate
    The data suggests otherwise

    Is it MMR? Thimerosal? Aluminum? Vaccine overload? Which one is it this week? (Don't forget, it's all part of a massive global conspiracy involving all scientists, doctors, and public health specialist!)

    The reasons constantly change, but the belief/resistance to the data that demonstrate vaccines are not a causal factor remains. If one is looking for a reason, they will likely find it, regardless of the truth.

    The clinical diagnosis of autism has been more clearly articulated. The public health, medical, and educational infrastructure has better identification and support programs. Autism is ID'd better now because of these systems.

    Additionally, the antivaccine camp REFUSES to identify the role of de novo mutations (copy number variants) found in autistic children. Generation X is getting married and having children later in life. Just as with many risk factors associated with later parental age, the incidences of autism trend with increased parental age.

    - Ds Advocate July 24, 2008 1:32PM

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  • rlneub
    Here this every day

    Our clinic treats nothing but ASD patients. Probably 7 out of 10 parents who come to us say my child was fine until this vaccine then in 1-2 months was gone. The anecdotal reporting of 1000's of parents has to count for something.

    Also, since we have success in treating the condition, and even have the dx removed for some of our patients, it seems to demonstrate that there is more than "different hard wiring" going on.

    - rlneub July 24, 2008 1:56PM

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    • Sullivan
      Minor corrections

      Rick,

      your clinic treats no "one" except ASD patients. Our kids are not "things". Our kids are not "gone", they have autism.

      - Sullivan August 22, 2008 10:08PM

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  • dadelp
    Well-Child Check-Ups

    are nothing more than appointments for vaccinations. Pediatricians main source of income comes from vaccines. Most pediatricians have blinders on where vaccines and autism are concerned. The blinders of course are dollar signs. It is obvious by the AAP's plan on how to deal with reluctant parents that vaccines are the "scared cow" of pediatricians.

    The fact that infants, by accepted practice; are given a HEP-B vaccine when there is no way an infant would have the remotest chance (save the mother testing positive for it) of contracting the disease should be telling even the most ardent supporter of vaccines that something is amiss.

    - dadelpUS July 24, 2008 2:37PM

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  • Ds Advocate
    Well-child checkups

    Vaccinations are their largest source of income? Are you kidding us? Can you cite ANY credible information that says this is the case?

    How much money do you think doctors/HMOs could make be hospitalizing and treating children for the infectious diseases they prevent? Way more. So why not discourage the use of (cheap) immunizations, let kids get the diseases, let them suffer disabilities, and let others die to make even MORE money? Your claim is completely contrary to reality. Immunizations save money for the public and keep kids out of the doctors office.

    More accusation. More conspiracy theories. No basis in reality or reason.

    And, BTW, some of those kids who 'will never be exposed to the HepB virus" apparently didn't get the memo.
    http://www.hbvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Hepatitis %20B%20in%20Children%20Update%202006.html

    - Ds Advocate July 24, 2008 2:53PM

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  • qchan63
    It's Way Past Time to Move On

    The evidence often cited for the supposed link between vaccines and autism is unreliable, unscientific and unconvincing. I understand parents' impulse to try and find some reason behind a child's disability, but blaming vaccines has the potential to make things harder for autistic people by taking away their right to be viewed as simply human, not "damaged" or "poisoned." As the parent of an autistic child, i believe this specious debate detracts from more promising areas of research concerning the treatment of autism, and ultimately harms the welfare of autistic people by making them seem something less than whole, something less than acceptable.

    - qchan63US July 24, 2008 4:17PM

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    • MsInformative
      uh

      Most children that I have met who have Autism have gastrointestinal problems, that coupled with various food allergies means there bodies are working over time. There immune systems are weakened. Most Vaccinations are administed in bulk doses, 2 to sometimes 4 at a time. Most vacinations such as measels and chicken pox have a sub clinical form of the disease and there have been cases where a child's brain tissue has been damaged by these two vacinations ( research it, It's there) If you administer 4 vacinations into a child who already has a low immunity and who has gastrointestinal problems and these vacinations have subclinical forms of various diseases of course it's going to have an affect. If it wasn't true there wouldn't be labels on medication saying don't take this if you suffer from....? The problem is these infants who do have gastrointestinal problems are not getting treated and pediatricians are not taking gastrointestinals symptoms seriously.

      - MsInformative August 26, 2008 9:30AM

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      • Kev Leitch
        Evidence?

        There 's actually no scientific evidence that autistic kids have gastrointestinal problems in any amount more significant than their non-autistic peers:
        "we neither demonstrate abnormal small intestinal permeability, nor abnormal postprandial responses of the enteroendocrine peptide GLP-2......It has been suggested that increased permeability may be causally related to the onset of the inflammatory bowel disease and not just a consequence of inflammation. Our data does not support a similar hypothesis in autism......Our study did not detect differences in the functional gastrointestinal parameters measured in a group of children with autism.......The subtle endoscopic and histological findings of lymphonodular hyperplasia in the colon and ileum previously described in ‘‘autistic enterocolitis’’ (Wakefield et al. 1998, 2005) are also seen in normally developing children with similar gastrointestinal symptoms (Furlano et al. 2001)." (Source: http://tinyurl.com/5gv33k )

        - Kev LeitchGB August 26, 2008 12:20PM

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        • EdR77203
          Evidence?

          One of the few medical interventions that works for some children is the GFCF diet. This diet is based on leakage of peptides that result from gluten and casein. Gluten and casein peptides in the blood indicate permeability of the small intestine.

          - EdR77203US September 14, 2008 5:40PM

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          • Kev Leitch
            GFCF is not established

            There is no evidence the GFCF diet makes any changes to autism ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18425890 ). Further, there is no evidence that children with autism have gastric issues in numbers over and above non-autistic children ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18311517 ).However, there is evidence that CF diets can lead children to have reduced bone thickness ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17879151 ).

            - Kev LeitchGB September 15, 2008 1:02AM

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            • carol hoernlein
              It is established

              by the fact that the MITICHONDRIAL disorder that Hannah Poling and other children have involves the glutamate-cystine cycle that is involved in getting cystine into the cell which forms glutathione - found to be low in many autistic children. This lack of glutathione makes these children susceptible to heavy metals including mercury FROM ANY SOURCE - not just thimerosol - as well as simple excititotoxicity which KILLS oligodendrocytes and neurons by overstressing them without enough of the natural antioxidants taurine and glutathione around because too much free glutamate in the extracellular space prevents the glutamate-cystine cycle from working properly. Hence, the cysteine metabolism doesn't take place.
              Your heavy handed statement of "no evidence" leaves out a whole world full of science. The vaccines all contain hydrolyzed gelatin which contains at least 10% free glutamate by weight. What many folks DON'T know because they are not former food scientists like myself who intimately know food chemistry, is that hydrolyzed casein and hydrolyzed gluten - which is how the food industry likes to process wheat and dairy to get the most flavor-enhancing compounds - is 20% free active glutamate by weight. So, consider for a moment that in a child with mitochondrial disorder, a high free glutamate load in a child's body would KILL BRAIN CELLS, A GF-CF diet as well as avoiding vaccines containing hydrolyzed protein of any kind (they all contain at LEAST 10% free active glutamate which acts as a neurtransmitter in its free state) makes a hell of a lot of sense. At least is does to THIS food scientist.

              Now, some folks unfortunately give a child on a GF-CF diet processed foods containing hydrolyzed soy and corn. If I were feeding an autistic child who tested low in taurine, glutathione, and had other symptoms of cysteine metabolism trouble, I would take them off ANY processed foods - especially foods high in free glutamate like soy milk and processed corn products. (Corn also has a substance that destroys tryptophan which makes the glucose to energy pathway harder by decreasing the amount of niacin in the body.) ESPECIALLY if the child had symptoms like diarrhea of trouble digesting fatty foods or irregular heartbeats, or poor vision. Taurine regulates heartbeat, and is used to make bile - which breaks up fats for easier digestion. OR if teh child presents with high heavy metal toxicity. Digestive troubles mean the child may have a taurine deficiency, and heavy metal toxicity may mean the child has a glutathione deficiency. Either way, excess free gluatamate WILL MAKE THESE DEFICIENCIES WORSE setting the child up for neuron damage.

              I say, test kids immediately for cysteine metabolism troubles - then give them a restricted diet like they do for PKU - which is another amino-acid based disease where a buildup of phenylalanine is the culprit. They keep these kids on a restricted DIET (that is the treatment folks - medically accepted around the world BTW. DIET isn't viewed as some kind of black art witchcraft with PKU) until the age of 7 when the brain is hardwired. We could also wait to vaccinate these kids till their brains are formed at the age of 7 and then give them a shot WITHOUT free glutamate in it. The vaccine-lovers would get their fix, and the children would get their shots without the glutamate chaser, and we wouldn't have to keep having these "discussions" about why a GF-CF diet works on a disease whose symptoms are made worse by an immunization.

              The parents who say that food affects their children have an EXTREMELY valid scientific reason for their position as they also do for the cause being vaccines.

              The studies saying there is no link between vaccines and autism are only based on the single fact that ONE additive in vaccines was removed and autism rates went up. That is NOT ENOUGH PROOF for this scientist. What is truly heartwrenching is that NO STUDY will be forthcoming from the vaccine pushers comparing vaccinated children to un-vaccinated children with autism, taking into account their mitochondrial status including their levels of glutathione, taurine, and heavy metals - which would give the parents some hope that a low free glutamate diet would help these kids.

              What the vaccine pushers are doing is nothing even remotely like science. It is malpractice. And you are condoning it.

              - carol hoernleinUS December 29, 2008 10:38AM

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              • AutismNewsBeat
                n = ?

                Carol, how many unvaccinated children would be needed to generate meaningful date in your vaccinated v. unvaccinated study? I'm sure you've done the math, since you are a scientist.

                - AutismNewsBeatUS March 5, 2009 2:44PM

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    • EdR77203
      Let me add this

      I should say that the debate has been harmful to the autism community. It has taken the focus from what to do about the autism epidemic and placed it on the vaccine industry. The vaccine program is so entrenched that if the proof were incontrovertible, vaccines would still be shielded. All that effort on both sides has helped noone.

      The second thing I should say is that there has been nonsense on both sides. The media is replete with examples from the anti-vaccine side. Let me site a few examples of innane actions on the pro-vaccine side.

      The University of Syracuse took measurements of mercury in the blood after vaccination. Since it disappeared after 3 days they concluded that it is okay to have mercury in vaccines. This ignores the fact that mercury is a cumulative toxin, meaning that it is absorbed by the tissues. How is it okay for mercury to be absorbed by the tissues.

      The pro-vaccine faction claims that the statistics are in and conclusive. It is interesting that the test for a link is to measure the autism rate of the vaccinated against the unvaccinated. Even though there are unvaccinated populations in the US, no such statistical test has been done.

      The MMR vaccine was a target because of the virus measurements found in the spinal fluid and the intestinal flora of autistics. The focus on vaccines hid what should have been the salient point of the measurement. It is not possible to have measles viruses in either place without a compromise of the blood-brain and the blood-gut barrier.

      - EdR77203US September 14, 2008 5:36PM

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  • clara
    Autism and Parental Age

    First it was the refrigerator mom that was causing autism. Then it was all just bad genes. Now it's people having children later in life. The common thread here is It's All the Parents' Fault.

    How convenient. Except there's one problem with the latest argument, about age. It is true that people are getting married and starting families later in life. It's not true that people are having children later in life. They are merely having their FIRST CHILD later in life. Before birth control, women used to have children well into their forties, until they hit menopause. The difference is, the children they were having later in life were there 7th or 8th child, not their 1st or 2nd child. So if you were going to try to argue this angle, you would have to say that autism was being caused by people having their FIRST or SECOND child later in life. And then what is the science behind that argument? There isn't any.

    - clara July 24, 2008 4:21PM

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  • denise0513
    Autism and Parental Age

    Just like other "scientific" theories, I guess I just blow this one out of the water as well.
    First, the scientists said if a man wore briefs and not boxers, it would be difficult for a woman to get pregnant. My husband wore briefs.
    Then they said if a woman drank more than 3 cups of coffee a day, she would have a hard time getting pregnant. Prior to my 3rd pregnancy, I was drinking about 10 cups a day and my husband was still wearing briefs.
    My first child was born when I was 29 years old. He has Asperger Syndrome with ADHD. My 2nd child, born at age 32, is fine. 3rd child born at age 33
    has ADHD with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. I was 34 when I delivered my last son. He is fine.
    I believe it is the toxins in the vaccines as well as environment that causes Autism, ASD or other neurological disorders. Some kids can process the toxins and some can't. While 2 of mine processed just fine, the other 2 had difficulty. One more than the other.

    - denise0513US July 24, 2008 7:07PM

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  • ATG
    Mt dysfunction + hg= ASD

    I suspect that the main cause of autism may yet turn out to be mercury as well as a few substances which have virtually identical effects on the brain (valproic acid for one), as proposed by Dr. Richard Deth. What's more, recent research seems to point to induced mitochondrial dysfunction as a major facilitator, which basically means that countless toxins could be co-factors.

    Mitochondrial disease may be rare and genetic but mitochondrial dysfunction is not uncommon, seems to be ubiquitous in autism and is not genetic. Vulnerability to mitochondrial dysfunction may or may not be genetic. Some individuals have “fragile” mitochondrial systems apparently (more common in people with higher IQ’s), some may have environmentally damaged systems.

    Many things seem to cause mitochondrial dysfunction, including mercury itself, psychiatric drugs, pesticides (rotenone for one), solvents, Tylenol, assaults to the immune system from hypervaccination with live viruses, etc.

    - ATG July 24, 2008 9:10PM

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    • Sullivan
      Take a closer look at the literature on autism and mitochondria

      Have you noticed that most of the people identified with mitochondrial disorders and autism in the literature did not undergo regression? As in, if I recall correctly, only one of the people in the existing papers? Of the study that is in-preparation which includes Hannah Poling, it is reported to indicate that of 30 kids with possible mitochondrial dysfunction and autism with regression, Hannah Poling is the only one whose regression might be tied to vaccines?

      - Sullivan August 22, 2008 10:14PM

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  • KarenAtlanta
    My God,Yes!!!!

    My child was100% normal. Vaccines were doubled at 15 mos and he plunged into Autism, with severe GI and metabolic disorders.Hypotonia. Fecal Smearing, GI pain. Silence after learning everyone's name.
    When tallied his vaccines contained 277X over the EPA's allowable limit of Hg for an adult.
    Full strength Hg was in his Hep B, DTaP and HIB in 2000. His toxic metal testing shows he does not have the means or enough glutathione produced to excrete (detox) Hg.
    No family history of Autism what so ever.
    Huge family history of auto-immune disease.
    He should have been screened and vaccinated on a more conservative schedule. He has over 18 symptoms that would indicate mitochondria disorder and his ped still pushes the flu shot!
    After chelation therapy (metal removal) he is talking and gaining ground. My family doctor NEVER told me MERCURY was in my children's vaccines!!! I trusted him! My trust has been betrayed. We have spend over 100K to get my son back. We have lived this!

    - KarenAtlanta July 24, 2008 9:55PM

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  • Ds Advocate
    Wow! What a surprise!

    No responses to my questions?
    Same as usual.
    What is it exactly? Mercury? The MMR? Aluminum? Too many vaccines? What?
    How does mercury toxicity manifest itself as autism in light of the centuries-long analysis of research in the effects of mercury toxicity (which looks nothing like autism)?
    Since it's all based on a massive, global conspiracy, how is it that all the scientists, medical professionals, public health specialists, and government regulatory officials are all in on this without any mention of what vaccines they give their kids or what the scientific consensus tell us?
    Why is it that vaccines, that produce dirt-cheap margins as far as profitability as opposed to hospitalization, drugs, and therapy, are the basis for the "conspiracy" profitability agreement even though letting kids get these diseases would be far, far more profitable?
    How come we don't hear anything about trial lawyers, milking the legal system, working the system to make money with trials?
    Answers anybody?

    - Ds Advocate July 24, 2008 11:14PM

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    • msvj
      Not much of a surprise

      Your post is not on the same level as other, that is why people are not responding. As soon as you wrote 'vaccines produce dirt cheap margins of profitability' you took yourself out of the conversation.

      - msvj August 30, 2008 1:12PM

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    • tmaxredalia
      Two Words

      Vaccine Court

      - tmaxredaliaUS August 22, 2009 5:22PM

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  • RecoveringRoo
    Why the debate continues

    Many people on the "no" side of this debate will say that the studies have been done, the case is closed, so why are we still talking about it? Well, there has been so much evidence, in particular recently (but the media has been too busy telling us about Britney Spears' underpants to pass it along). Here is one piece about why the issue won't go away, which sums up some of the advances since this january:
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david -kirby/amanda-peet-vsmedical-sci_b_113817.html
    Many people may be surprised at how many people in the government, and how many medical experts, take this very seriously. In fact, Julie Gerberding, head of the CDC, recently conceded that the landmark case that the CDC has always cited that proved no linkwas seriously flawed:
    http://www.ageofautism.com/2008/06/david -kirby-cdc.html
    Additionally, here is an excellent article that summarizes much of the bizarre politics behind the continuing denial by the CDC and AAP about a link (they are increasingl

    - RecoveringRoo July 25, 2008 12:09AM

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    • AutismNewsBeat
      Not credible

      You lost me as soon as you linked to AgeOfAutism. That's like consulting Lyndon LaRouche on international monetary policy.

      - AutismNewsBeatUS March 5, 2009 2:49PM

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    • MrBook
      Still talking

      The reason why people are still talking about an autism - vaccine link is because several organizations exist solely to perpetuate that myth through misinformation and fear-mongering.

      - MrBookUS August 24, 2009 8:58PM

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  • Tanners Dad
    "My name is Tanner. My name is Tanner."

    That was my sons last full sentence after he got his shots over six years ago. The morning of July 4th he walked into the living room and said that to me. He was a happy healthy boy riding his bike, little tikes car, feeding himself, chewing food, dunking basket balls, and dreams were alive/communicated.
    After the shots, he stopped all of this. His Doctor committed suicide last year. His new Doctor put him on a new GFCF diet and added some supplements. He said his first words the week before Father's Day 2008..."Hi Daddy"
    I am not in the medical field but I do have more hours dedicated to studying this than my University Degree. I believe that Vaccine is a cause of autism. I know the jury is still out in the world of unbiased experts. I know that the cause and cure are not known. So until that is the case, don't you think we should side with the children that cannot speak? Common sense dictates that something is hurting our kids... We MUST PRROTECT THEM. Help now please

    - Tanners Dad July 25, 2008 3:32AM

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    • bubs
      My sons silent reply

      Firstly thanks for your story.. mirrors us a lot and the pain is as strong today.....

      Answers from the scientists please.... All they do is cover their backs rather than use their amazing knowledge and try and help our children and help prevent this happening to more.....

      PERHAPS the link is simply like a lottery... some children are able to cope with the injections and some are not (our sons) but rather than sit on the fence wondering. It would be so much better to provide an immunisation that is safe and not full of toxins that simply push our children over the edge. Afterall we all have Autistic traits it's just our poor little children were pushed into the depths of darkness simply because their sytems could not cope. I'm not out to apportion blame I just want the son I gave birth to and who started developing normally... back no more no less .... Thank you Tanner for your support take care x

      - bubs August 31, 2008 2:27AM

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  • RobinNemeth
    Thimerosal is still present in toxic levels in flu shots.

    One can see here—www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm#t1— from the FDA's own website, that there is still thimerosal (mercury) in flu shots. Simply scroll down to table one. There are influenza vaccines recommended for young children which have twelve and a half to twenty five micrograms of thimerosal. This is the same level that was administered in the childhood vaccines and that has caused concerns about autism over the last decade. It is only in recent years that these flu shots have been advised for pregnant women, babies, and children. Recently CNN reported that only six percent of flu shots administered had less than a trace amount of thimerosal. Why would one expect the rate of autism to go down through removal of mercury from vaccines, when it hasn't, in fact, been removed?

    - RobinNemeth July 25, 2008 4:35AM

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  • YesYesYesYEs
    Yes...Ask The Parents

    Not long after we started a family, I asked a parent of a child with autism what they think happened - why did their healthy "normal" child regress? She recounted the downward spiral that started immediately after a round of vaccines. She also told me that NO parent had EVER asked her that before. Since then I have asked 9 more parents of 9 children with autism. While each story is a little different (some had regression immediately after a round of vaccines and some had a slower regression - illness after illness and loss of skills etc following a round of vaccines) they all point to vaccines. So now, (after hearing from the true experts) I know in my heart that somehow, someway vaccines are linked to autism. The fact that the government lists studies that show no link (YET) does not, in my mind, mean that vaccines are safe for all children. If you haven't done so, ASK parents for their take on their child's regression into autism. I bet you'll hear a lot of similarities.

    - YesYesYesYEs July 25, 2008 9:48AM

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  • YesYesYesYEs
    Responding to D's Advocate:

    D's Advocate, Watch CBS evening news tonight (Friday July 25th) and learn about VACCINE PROFITS: follow the $$$$ trail.................And you tell me, what is it about those darn vaccines that causes damage. Science just hasn't answered it yet, but I for one am confident that we'll all know someday soon.

    - YesYesYesYEs July 25, 2008 11:54AM

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  • Ds Advocate
    Chelation is unproven and highly dubious

    Just because you think you see results, doesn't mean that it is because it really works. Removing charged ions/metals from a persons body can cause significant health problems.

    It's quite ironic that people can be sold into buying something that is completely unproven, but easily dismiss the overwhelming success and benifits of immunizations.

    Food for thought:

    http://neurodiversity.com/weblog /

    - Ds Advocate July 25, 2008 2:42PM

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  • Ds Advocate
    Chelation is unproven and highly dubious

    Just because you think you see results, doesn't mean that it is because it really works. Removing charged ions/metals from a persons body can cause significant health problems.

    It's quite ironic that people can be sold into buying something that is completely unproven, but easily dismiss the overwhelming success and benifits of immunizations.

    Food for thought:

    http://neurodiversity.com/weblog /

    - Ds Advocate July 25, 2008 3:03PM

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  • recoveringnicholas
    Where are the multiple vaccine safety studies?

    Quote: It's quite ironic that people can be sold into buying something that is completely unproven, but easily dismiss the overwhelming success and benifits of immunizations.

    The irony here is that all of us bought into immunizations and look at what it did for us. Completely unproven is the safety of injecting our children with multiple vaccinations in one day.

    The proof that chelation works is in all of these recovered children walking around - oh wait, you'll just say they weren't properly diagnosed in the first place. I guess you'd have to overlook the hours and hours of video their parents have showing the transformation from autistic to NT.

    Irony is, many of us parents were on the other side until we witnessed it first hand.

    - recoveringnicholas July 25, 2008 5:24PM

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  • jak
    Thimerosal-free flu vaccine (not trace) available

    Sanofi-Pasteur has a completely thimerosal-free flu shot (for 6 months and up), and MedImmune's FluMist (ages 2 to 49 years) is thimerosal-free for any parents who would like to avoid thimerosal entirely since even perfectly healthy kids can die from the flu.

    http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/thimerosal.htm

    - jak July 25, 2008 7:09PM

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  • jak
    Genetics can mean family history or mutations

    Even if you don't know of anyone in the family with autism, mutations in genes can happen.

    - jak July 25, 2008 7:18PM

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    • EdR77203
      You must be kidding

      Do you really believe that autism is a genetic mutation? A mutation that happened in China, Europe, Australia, Japan, Canada and the US?

      Are you serious? Genetics play a role, but there is an epidemic and that means that there is an environmental cause.

      - EdR77203US September 16, 2008 8:04PM

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  • YesYesYesYEs
    Response for Jak

    Jak.....while the thimerosal free flu shot is available, 94% of the WORLD'S flu shot supply last year contained thimerosal. Yes, that's right 94%!!! If you didn't know enough to ask for thimerosal free, you got it. In many cases, even if you did request thimerosal free, it was simply not available. How many of us requested thimerosal free shots when the media, doctors and nurses etc are all telling us that thimerosal has been out of the vaccines since 2002???????????????????????????????

    - YesYesYesYEs July 25, 2008 10:33PM

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  • stellaw
    Predisposition and sensory problems

    1} Many years ago it was unusual to have more than one affected child in a family yet now it is commonplace - some families having as many as 5, 6 or even 7 children on the spectrum. This stronly indicates that there is a hereditary predisposition to ASD in some families.
    2) Although they are often overlooked, the majority of children - and adults - with ASD also have sensory problems, which are often a major disabling factor in their lives.
    While much attention and argument has centred on the role of vaccines in relation to bowel disease, it a given that both Rubella and measles can affect the embryo whilst in the womb.
    Until there has been some research to determine whether the rubella & measles vaccine are implicated in these sensory problems the role of vaccines in triggering autisms in susceptible babies cannot be ruled out.

    - stellaw July 26, 2008 1:19PM

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  • Ds Advocate
    Repsonse to Predisposition and sensory problems

    As you indicate, the genetic components/contribution to autism has received more attention in the past 10 years and much progress has been made. As to you reference to other health issues that sometimes affect those on the spectrum, the genetic contributions to these problems can also be genetic. The genes that encoded signaling proteins and/or transcription factors that are regulated by other gene products will affect various physiological systems, that is, neural development and activity will not be exclusively affected. One of many examples you can examine, in this regard, is Down's Syndrome where the affected individual not only has cognitive impairment, but a number of clearly observable abnormal characteristic (including appearance, problems with their eyes and heart, joint issues, etc). Look at other congenital disorders and you will see that there are rarely single effects (a point further emphasized with the use of the term spectrum).

    - Ds Advocate July 28, 2008 11:01AM

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  • Ds Advocate
    Repsonse to Predisposition and sensory problems

    As you indicate, the genetic components/contribution to autism has received more attention in the past 10 years and much progress has been made. As to you reference to other health issues that sometimes affect those on the spectrum, the genetic contributions to these problems can also be genetic. The genes that encoded signaling proteins and/or transcription factors that are regulated by other gene products will affect various physiological systems, that is, neural development and activity will not be exclusively affected. One of many examples you can examine, in this regard, is Down's Syndrome where the affected individual not only has cognitive impairment, but a number of clearly observable abnormal characteristic (including appearance, problems with their eyes and heart, joint issues, etc). Look at other congenital disorders and you will see that there are rarely single effects (a point further emphasized with the use of the term spectrum).

    - Ds Advocate July 28, 2008 11:04AM

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  • Ds Advocate
    People who got their Ph.D. from google university

    "ever heard of themerisol? it is 49 percent mercury and still contained in six vaccines as well as the flu shot-if it contains even small amounts after post production "removal" they can call it mercury free-but really its not"

    Thimerosal is the organomercurial Ethyl(2-mercaptobenzoato-(2-)-O,S)mercurate(1-) sodium. It is not an element (mercury). It is a molecule with many different atoms (carbon, sulfur, hydrogen, oxygen). One atom of mercury is in its composition. Since mercury is a heavy element relative to the rest of the molecule, it accounts for 49% OF THE TOTAL WEIGHT of the molecule. Molecules can have radically different properties compared to the elements that make it up. It is not mercury, nor behaves like mercury.

    This is junior high-level chemistry. These should not be difficult for people to understand. Unless, of course, your sources of information are compromised. So while you are getting 'educated', always consider where you get your information.

    - Ds Advocate July 28, 2008 11:13AM

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  • Ds Advocate
    Other studies

    OK, how about a newer studies then?

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22542677 /

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130140135.htm

    (Please excuse the lay-media reports, but my attempt to link you to the actual research papers will not work, unless you have a subscription).

    - Ds Advocate July 28, 2008 2:52PM

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  • Ds Advocate
    Huh?!?!

    "This type of mercury rapidly clears the blood and is distributed immediately to the brain"

    Since when? What studies can you cite that make this claim? If you even try to tell us it's the Burbacher study, they didn't run the proper controls. The assertion cannot be made based on the experimental design.
    And why do you think the Burbacher study is only embraced by those trying cases in vaccine court?
    Had he run his experiments correctly, perhaps his 'study' could have been examined. Unfortunately, it is worthless and is only used, incorrectly as you have done here, to try and scare people into believing something that just isn't true.
    Don't make claims such as the above without the ability to back it up. The Burbacher study, as bad as it is didn't even make the claim you say it does.

    - Ds Advocate July 28, 2008 3:01PM

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  • Ds Advocate
    If not understood, why not just blame vaccines?

    Do you think that doctors, scientists, regulatory officials, and public health specialist lie and do not really give their children the same vaccines everyone else is encouraged to get? How long have we identified schizophrenia? Do we know exactly what its causes are?

    We are talking about a very complex developmental disorder involving a number of genetic contributors. Because "we don't know" EXACTLY every detail does not mean we do not have information and a emerging theory as to is mechanism.

    How would causing more death and disability through contagious, infectious diseases help our overall health? As if the third world has it better than our standard of living.

    - Ds Advocate July 29, 2008 4:23PM

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  • Ann
    Believe in the Future

    My daughter had a reaction to her DPT shot in 1971 at one month old. Arriving home, I picked her up from her car seat and she let out a wild panic scream. At first I thought a diaper pin was opened. The pins were fine. The screaming continued for 8 hours, followed by deep sleep for 24 hours. Touching her encouraged the return of the severe screaming. She was never the same child as before the shot.

    It's been a long and expensive 37 years for her to become the lovely woman she is today. Yes, she still has autism with language disabilities and a low IQ. Therapies, diet intervention, supplements, and proactive parents allowed her to become employed, drive her own car, live in her own condo. . . and be a part of her community.

    It's sad our mainstreamed medical community is so defensive. Even Autism organizations confuse parents. "Sound Scientific Evidence" versus "Sound Practical Applications." Really!

    We need safe vaccines and schedule changes NOW! And we need CHOICE!

    - Ann August 1, 2008 11:59AM

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  • Kev Leitch
    Innaccuracies

    In fact, the Amish do vaccinate. ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17133167?dopt=AbstractPlus ) A study of old order Amish showed:
    "Responses were received by 225 (60%) of the 374 Amish households in the community with children aged
    that all of their children had received vaccinations; 28 (12%) reported that some of their children had received vaccinations; and
    8 (4%) reported that none of their children had received vaccinations."
    "Among all respondents who knew their own vaccination status, 281/313 (90%) reported that they had received vaccinations
    as children"
    Relying on Dan Olmsted for these things is a bad idea. I suggest people read this interview with someone who works with the Amish: http://autism-news-beat.com/?p=29

    - Kev LeitchGB August 8, 2008 2:31AM

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    • EdR77203
      Not from Dan Olmsted

      The pro-vax community claims that the case is closed. And yet, the statistical test for a link between vaccinations and autism is to measure the number of cases of autism in the vaccinated population against the number of cases in the unvaccinated population. I know that the pro-vaxers claim that science is on their side, but I would expect that this study would be done before the case gets closed.

      Dan Olmsted had the right idea. But both sides need a scientific study.

      - EdR77203US September 14, 2008 5:53PM

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      • Kev Leitch
        A quote for you.

        The recently published MMR paper (which again found no link between MMR and autism) was heralded with a press conference. During the course of that press conference, the authors were asked by David Kirby about doing a study such as you propose. Their answer is here:

        http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/?p=1285

        Its the last piece of audio on the blog entry.

        - Kev LeitchGB September 15, 2008 1:08AM

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        • EdR77203
          Lovely excuses

          Your recording is full of lovely excuses. The population of the unvaccinated already exists. It is mixed in everywhere in the US. The idea that a good sample cannot be gotten dances a jig on my incredulity button.

          - EdR77203US September 16, 2008 5:02PM

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  • itsnotgenetic
    50 years from now this debate will still go on.

    Lets face it the old Autism is Genetic thing is getting a bit old !
    If Autism is genetic why are there families with say 5 children and only 1 has Autism ? Yet other families all their children have Autism ?? How does that work ??
    Why in families like my own are all of my siblings children NT and free from Autism yet both of my children are on the Spectrum ?
    Thats 12 children in my family & 2 of them my own have Autism - WHY ?
    So the Genetic explanation fails dont you think ?
    There is something else though , I am more than curious as to what answers or solutions the no siders have on this one... Out of the 12 children , only 2 were vaccinated - can you guess which 2 ?? Yes thats right , if you said my 2 the same 2 that have Autism then you would be correct ! Now please someone tell ME that there is no link !!

    - itsnotgenetic August 15, 2008 4:11AM

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    • EdR77203
      Genes are a part of it, but they are not all

      The twin studies show that you can have identical twins one of whom is autistic while the other is not. Yet autism runs in families. I can only conclude that genes are involved but "There is something in the water."

      - EdR77203US September 14, 2008 5:56PM

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    • MrBook
      Genetics

      "If Autism is genetic why are there families with say 5 children and only 1 has Autism ? Yet other families all their children have Autism ?? How does that work ??"

      Inheritance is not at all that clear cut. Though each child is a combination of genes of the parents there are differences... that is why all brothers do not look the same.

      What you are describing is anecdotal, a single instance out of millions. Even if you sum up all the reports found herein you will still not approach a statistically significant amount.

      And that is what is important. With a large enough population anomalies will emerge... and that is all that has been shown so far, statistical anomalies.

      While at the same time diseases that were once though gone are making a comeback... the mumps and wooping cough have already claimed lives.

      - MrBookUS August 24, 2009 9:14PM

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  • eApricot
    Not the right thing to discuss

    Is it really the right thing to discuss a topic that is of such high scientific complexity as this in a public forum? Populated mostly by half-knowing "experts" or worse?
    We should leave this delicate question to representative and valid scientific studies, not some parent who seeningly knows that his child has become autistic only as a result of his vaccines.
    This question is uttered at the wrong place. It should not be discussed at all. It should be researched. For medicine, as science in general, is never a matter of opinions. It is a matter of evidence. And one does not simply defy scientific evidence by sheer force of will.
    You can not just say: "I don't believe in this" as you do with the amazing story a friend just told you.
    I know this is a place of discussion, but this is definately not an appropriate field for it.

    I know my point is rather weak, but the 1000words-barrier is killing me.

    - eApricot August 17, 2008 4:32PM

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  • Vaccine911dotcom
    Dr. Jennifer Shu is absolutely wrong

    She states "it's in the Genes" .. EVERY THING THAT RELATES TO THE HUMAN BODY, ANY CONDITION, SYMPTOM OR DISEASE PROCESS MUST HAVE A GENETIC CODE TO EXPRESS THAT PARTICULAR REACTION. The question is what expresses that genetic code? Environmental factors influence that genetic code.

    Since Dr. Jennifer Shu has stated an absolute, meaning NO vaccines cause the conditions related to autism... Which Autism is not a diagnosis or sorts, it is a set of related symptoms. If you look they are the same symptoms repressed in the proper diagnosis of mercury poison.

    If she is willing to make such a bold statement than she must know exactly what causes Autism which is a HUGE breakthrough in medical science. Everybody.... Dr. Jennifer Shu knows the cause of autism and has a plan to stop this HUGE epidemic in our society that has devastated so many peoples lives especially in the last 40 years, which by coincidence has been the greatest increase in vaccines introduced in the history of man kind..

    Vaccine911.com


    - Vaccine911dotcom August 29, 2008 10:00AM

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    • Kev Leitch
      Autism vs Mercury Posioning

      Autism and mercury poisoning bear no diagnostic relationship to each other. I created a wikipage on this subject here: http://www.theautismwiki.com/Thimerosal/Bernard . There is also at least one piece of credible science refuting this assertion ( http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/111/3/674 ):

      "Nonspecific symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and irrational fears may occur both in mercury poisoning and in children with autism, but overall the clinical picture of mercurism—from any known form, dose, duration, or age of exposure—does not mimic that of autism."

      - Kev LeitchGB August 29, 2008 11:45AM

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      • Paula in Wisconsin
        Autism vs Mercury Posioning

        You are sooo wrong! Eli lilly has studies showing the evidence! You are not lokking in the right direction, by the way what is your beef? Parents are not trying to make money, we want healthy and happy families not nightmares. What drives you?

        - Paula in Wisconsin August 29, 2008 7:19PM

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        • Kev Leitch
          Evidence?

          Could you direct me to these studies Eli Lilly has showing the evidence?

          I am parent to a severely autistic child. I don't believe my child is a nightmare. What drives me is a desire for science to move on to areas that can actually help autistic people.

          - Kev LeitchGB August 29, 2008 9:27PM

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          • EdR77203
            Move on

            I could not agree with the move on sentiment more. The argument over vaccines and autism has wasted far too much of the far too little research that needs to be done on autism.

            Still, I worry that the "Does this implicate vaccines" filter will block some channels that would otherwise be productive.

            - EdR77203US September 16, 2008 6:29PM

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      • bubs
        explain more..

        Where did you get your findings... Children with Autism have basically an overload of toxins which causes shutdown to various parts of their system... we are slowly getting our son back from the depths of Autism, building his immune system back up..... eradicating the toxins in the most natural way.
        Scientific experts are all the same ...live in their comort zone and if things can't be explained in a scientific way then they are not interested.........

        - bubs August 31, 2008 1:45AM

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        • Kev Leitch
          More explanation

          What I did was compare the symptoms of mercury poisoning with the symptoms of autism in the DSM (IV). They are nothing alike.
          There is no evidence children with autism have 'an overload of toxins'.

          - Kev LeitchGB August 31, 2008 8:19AM

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          • tmaxredalia
            YES, but...

            ... autism is probably not a result of classic mercury poisoning.

            It is more likely an immune response to dozens of vaccine adjuvants and preservatives, some of which are: aluminum, aborted fetal tissue, neomycin, MSG, aspartame, polydimethylsiloxane, formaldehyde, bovine serum, soy protein, yeast, monkey kidney cells, chick embryonic fluid, ammonium sulfate and beta-propiolactone.

            - tmaxredaliaUS August 22, 2009 5:36PM

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            • MrBook
              aborted?

              Where do you get the aborted fetal tissue component? The closest I have come across is the use of cell lines in the manufacturing of the vaccine... Can you link to how much is found in the end product?

              - MrBookUS August 24, 2009 9:18PM

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      • EdR77203
        Assuming

        This works assuming that mercury injected at a young age has the same effect as other forms of mercury poisoning.

        - EdR77203US September 14, 2008 5:58PM

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        • Kev Leitch
          Why wouldn't it?

          No, the assumption is that it would cause autism. There is no evidence for that assumption.

          - Kev LeitchGB September 15, 2008 1:09AM

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          • EdR77203
            Re: Assuming

            You offered the proof that the symptoms of Hg poisoning and autism are not the same. I only offered the conditions under which that proof is valid.

            - EdR77203US September 16, 2008 7:10PM

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  • Maritimer
    Autism is linked to vaccines

    I have something to report on this subject. My granddaughter was diagnosed with autism at 3 yrs old. All tests we done concerning MRI, Bone scan, Genetics, X Chromozones, brain scans, nothing was wrong, perfect health.

    I managed to come in contact with medical people who have opened up a "can of worms" for me. They both told me the same thing. mercury is the cause and once the people became aware of it, they removed the mercury. The reasons autism is still happening is because they have made the needle with cadmium and aluminum which again, creates the symptoms of autism. This is a major scandal and it's a case of not wanting to pay for law suits.

    What I did was go to the doctor and ask for a hair, stool and urine test done on my granddaughter, for these are the tests that these heavy metals show up in. The doctor became all nervous, could't look at the three of us in the face. (I had my daughter, myself and the baby's mother with me). The doctor stated he did not have to do this, he knew for a fact mercury or anything toxic would be found. He said medicare would not pay, then I said I have the money right now, and I will pay whatever the costs. He became irritated and said NO, he would not do it. I said so you are positive mercury is not there and he said for a fact he knew. I then said great, now please sign a paper stating that fact and I will leave. He was enraged and told us all to leave, now. We left.

    It took me over a year to find a private doctor and I did. I was told that every autistic patient she has tested for heavy metals all came back positive for mercury and lead. I mentioned the aluminum and cadmium and my granddaughter is now being tested for all. The hair sample is in the lab right now for over 2 weeks. I am waiting for the results.

    I have two social workers involved with this and I found a paper that was in the medical file from the doctor who diagnosed my granddaughter. he requested the tests for heavy metals when she was four years old, and all her doctors have refused to follow it through.

    Three other people I know and reported this to, have children who are autistic and one is ADD. They all followed up on what I told them, which they all took the samples to the doctors. For two cases, the tests never came back and its been over 2 years. The other had her's test come back and the doctor stated only lead but nothing to worry about, then changed the subject. No other tests were done only lead. No lab reports were shown to her. She is still dealing with this presently.

    I am passing this message to everyone I know who has or knows of anyone with autism or ADD (it is linked together caused by mercury), and I am telling them to report their doctor's reactions, and telling them to ask for lab reports. if they refuse, go and pay for it out of pocket. The hair test is only $90.00 and you get the lab report.

    Once all this is done, go public and find all the others and work together. I already called a lawyer who told me that the first steps to take is to report all doctors who have refused to do the heavy metals tests to the colledge of physicians for an investigation.

    Please I advise all of you to do this, ask for these tests to be done and also, you want copies of the lab reports. do not trust the government on this and hire a private doctor to do the same tests and see if they match up. like the social worker said to me, if they don't then we have something to deal with.

    The worker is now involving herself to have my granddaughter tested by another one of her doctors that stated at a school meeting for me NOT to go privately, do not spend my money and she would do it for free. well this was stated in front of 9 professional people and so far, she has only offered to repeat the tests already done when she was diagnosed for autism, not the heavy metals tests which she stated she would. This is being handled by a top social worker at present.

    I will keep yuou all informed.

    - MaritimerCA August 29, 2008 10:54AM

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    • Kev Leitch
      Which lab are you using?

      Maritimer - which lab are you using for these results?

      - Kev LeitchGB August 29, 2008 11:46AM

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      • Vaccine911dotcom
        Even the Vaccine manufacturers have admitted...

        Apart from lack of protection, the vaccines cause a lot of sickness and disease. The following is from a survey of discovery in the UK conducted by a law firm engaged in a class-action suit representing thousands of families of children injured by the measles shot after a government promoted measles campaign. Keep in mind that these conditions have been associated with other childhood vaccinations too.

        Measles Vaccination Causes:
        Encephalitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, convulsions, seizures, anaphylaxis, atypical measles, thrombocytopenia, optic neuritis, ocular palsies, retinitis, deafness, otitis media, ulcerative colitis, bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, headache, dizziness, rash, AUTISM, hearing and vision problems, arthritis, arthralgia, behavior and learning problems, chronic fatigue, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and death. Richard Barr, Alexander Harris, Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) Vaccines and Measles Rubella (MR) www.whale.to/vaccines/dawbarns.html Dawbars (UK) 1997

        How come these records are not available in U.S. courts? Vaccine makers were being sued left and right in the 7'0's-80's for Vaccine injuries... However they settled the suits out of court so the discovery documents wouldn't have to be shown to the American public... The Vaccine makers then went to congress and blackmailed the U.S. government for protection against the large amounts of lawsuits. Basically telling the congress if they weren't protected, then the epidemics would be the government's fault for not "protecting" the population....

        To learn more... Vaccine911.com

        - Vaccine911dotcom August 29, 2008 12:29PM

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        • Kev Leitch
          Records

          These are not 'records' they are opinions gathered by a legal team to support their case. They bear no relation to credible science.

          - Kev LeitchGB August 29, 2008 9:31PM

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  • Claudio
    IN MY CASE... YES

    We have 5 kids. Daniel has autism. He was normal (I would say he was very intelligent). He loved books since he was one year old and could flip the pages one by one. He could say 2 or 3 words.
    He had a 6-shot session when he was 18 months, got a strong fever and disconnected from the surrouding world ever since.
    I only want him to be normal again but I don´t have the money for any treatments.
    If anybody knows of help in the Houston area please let me know...

    - ClaudioUS August 29, 2008 10:11PM

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  • bubs
    Why

    Why will the doctors and scientists not answer the question honestly. The surge of claims of neglegence would be overwhelming. I have close friends who are Gp's and they can't explain why the MMR has been changed numerous times over the last ten years. They were not aware themselves that mercury was used in the injections as a preservative etc.... Also they themselves opted for the three jabs and also waited until their babies were older with a stronger immune system... Why when their own patients are vacinated at set ages.
    My son was recovering from a life threatening illness and because he was a little late with his jabs because of hospital admission, we were pushed into his MMR before his poor little body was ready and his immune system strong enough to cope. Within 36 hours my son changed dramatically... His speach went, his eyes changed and he was Autistic... We have seen numerous specialists who have acknowledged that he was a poorly baby and his immune system was simply not able to cope with the toxins of the injection. Argue back but the case for us is closed...... We live with it every day and as our alternative therapist explains scientists can only accept the science not how the human body works. We are all different and therefore should be looked at as individuals and treated accordingly.....

    - bubs August 30, 2008 4:08AM

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    • Kev Leitch
      No mercury in MMR

      There has never been mercury of any kind in any MMR vaccine.

      If your son was recovering from a life threatening illness, he indeed should not have been vaccinated until fully recovered. However, that does not mean MMR or any other vaccine causes autism.

      - Kev LeitchGB August 30, 2008 11:54AM

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      • EdR77203
        What I took from the MMR study

        What I see from the MMR study is that there is leakage of the blood-brain and the blood-gut barriers.

        - EdR77203US September 14, 2008 6:04PM

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        • Kev Leitch
          Which?

          Which MMR study is this?

          - Kev LeitchGB September 15, 2008 1:10AM

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          • EdR77203
            Re: What I took from the MMR study

            The controversy about the MMR vaccine started because measles virus was found in the gut flora and the spinal fluid of autistics. I do not agree that this means that autism is caused by the MMR vaccine. The viruses will not cross an intact tight junction barrier, therefore I conclude there is leakage.

            The good part of this is that if there is leakage, it is an aspect of autism that is subject to medical attention and provides an avenue through which medical improvements to the autistic condition can be made.

            - EdR77203US September 15, 2008 7:17PM

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            • Ivar T
              Unigenetics

              The Unigenetics lab tests were basically a scam. No other labs could replicate the findings and mayor errors in their procedures were found.

              - Ivar TNO November 16, 2008 10:51PM

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  • bagpiper2005
    Not only are they linked....

    ...but vaccinations are completely ineffective at preventing disease, and many have complications from the vaccines themselves. Autism might be a genetic thing, but somehow the mercury-based preservative must interact with the gene that causes it. Many people with autism are asymptomatic and don't even know they have it. The mercury probably sets a trigger that then produces symptoms.

    The odds of being diagnosed with some sort of Autism-type disorder (Autism, PDDNOS, Aspergers', HFA) is 1 in 150, higher than it ever was in history. We never saw this before routine vaccinations.

    - bagpiper2005US September 19, 2008 9:01AM

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  • bagpiper2005
    An Asperger Syndrome Sufferer Speaks Out

    In a nutshell: it's made my life hell.

    I should also state that my sister was not vaccinated. My sister has none of the problems that I have. Pretty much every vaccinated child in my immediate family from my mother's side has autism (I guess we have that genetic predisposition), every non-vaccinated child does not.

    - bagpiper2005US November 12, 2008 10:31AM

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  • carol hoernlein
    It is the free gluatamate

    in the hydrolyzed gelatin - which is found in the MMR vaccine. TO THIS VERY DAY. That is the cause. Because that is the very item that WILL cause a child with mitochondrial disorder to have trouble metabolizing cysteine to make glutathione and taurine.

    And so, the neuroscientists call the damage done by too much free glutamate the glutamate cascade - it causes many other things to happen - ending in nerve cell death. The causes aren't changing, it is just that the disorder young Hannah Poling has is more complicated than the Vaccine pushers would admit. That is why Hannah's family WON her case.

    And so the MMR which contains not only hydrolyzed gelatin which is 10% free glutamate by weight, but THREE vaccines in one. The free glutamate from the vaccine - INJECTED (not eaten) into a child with the MITO disorder would make it difficult to make glutathione which is the body's own natural chelating agent. And so, if you also had thimerosol OR just a diet high in mercury containing fish or

    - carol hoernleinUS December 29, 2008 12:17PM

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  • ChunWong
    Could be a factor

    I believe that vaccines may cause autism in children who are vulnerable in some way. Here's a link to a Huffington Post article about one family who were awarded compensation by the Vaccine Court because they could prove that the MMR vaccine cuased brain inflammation in their son which then led to his PDD-NOS.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr-and-david-kirby/vaccine-court-autism-deba_b_169673.html

    It's an interesting article.

    Dr Chun Wong
    www.newautismcure.com/blog

    - ChunWongES March 27, 2009 11:31AM

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  • TruthBeautyGoodness
    Are Autism and Vaccines Linked?

    Mr Brook wrote: "What is marginal about it? "

    Here is one additional answer to this question--- I just realized that this forum cordons off some responses into inaccessible parts of the forum.... Perhaps they will keep it public with a special handling known to some special persons. No wonder some of the above threads seem unfinished. What is the value of public forum, to cordoned off forum users?The forum notification reads-- "Someone has responded to your comment, "Mandatory Vaccinations?". Did they praise your intelligence or disagree with every word? Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, or the start of a heated rivalry? Jump back into the discussion and find out."I just wonder what else might apply.

    - TruthBeautyGoodnessUS October 9, 2009 6:23AM

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    • MrBook
      Unfinished?

      Actually the forum keeps tabbing new conversations over. If you follow the "More Comments in this thread" link it will take you to the rest of it.

      As a side note... I got the seasonal flu shot today and so far am doing fine.

      - MrBookUS October 12, 2009 1:43PM

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  • Nivarion
    An equally likely source.

    is induced labour. Think about it, the child isn't ready yet, but the doctors like to induce labour for some reason. (I really can't figure it out, i guess to make sure it happens when you want it to)

    Before natural labour the cervix has time to soften and relax. It also spends a lot of time expanding to allow the baby an easier time out.

    when you induce it it's still pretty hard. It's like repeatedly slaming the child's head into a large eraser.

    Now which seems more likely to cause autism , a small shot in the arm or a slam to their half formed skulls every few minutes?

    - NivarionUS October 12, 2009 12:37AM

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Regarding Argument
The Autism-Mercury Debate Is Far From Over
- From NAA
Yes Side
By National Autism Association - Think Autism. Think Cure.

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  • Ds Advocate
    Autism and mercury "debate"

    Can someone...anyone!...please explain to the scientific and medical community how mercury (in its various forms: inorganic, methylmercury, ethylmercury) in the concentrations that are present in vaccines (as opposed to exposure in food, air, water, consumer/medical products) causes the antisocial behaviors associated with autism, even though the clinical descriptions of mercury poisoning are completely different? How come children in Pacific Island nations, Japan, Iraq, etc., exposed to large amounts of mercury are not autistic, rather, have other clearly definable symptoms?

    I know we'll here the 'neurotoxin" buzz word again, as if everything else at a specific dose is not a neurotoxin 9including oxygen and water). If mercury (in all its forms), the neurotoxin, is the cause, why are peripheral neurons not affected? What about the kidney? How come 'mad hatters' were not distinguished as autistic.

    There seems to be quite a (fabricated) jump without any clinical basis in fact.

    - Ds Advocate July 24, 2008 2:13PM

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    • tmaxredalia
      How come Mad Hatters Were Not Distinguished as Autistic?

      Well, for one thing, autism had not yet been discovered as a disease in the 1700s.

      For another, hatters were adults, who had finished their rapid brain growth, so different parts of their brains were damaged.

      And if you look at the symptoms of mercury poisoning, depression, hostility, gut problems, disturbance in sensation, itching, burning, numbness, lack of coordination, impairments of speech, hearing and walking, muscle weakness, mood swings, mental disturbances, rashes, photophobia, many are identical to autism symptoms.

      - tmaxredaliaUS August 22, 2009 5:52PM

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      • MrBook
        old hat

        the mercury poisoning = autism hypothesis was abandoned long ago, even among those at Generation Rescue and Age of Autism.

        - MrBookUS August 23, 2009 4:01PM

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        • tmaxredalia
          Yes, But Mercury Poisoning is Not the Sole Cause

          And I'm not saying autism and Hg poisoning are identical, either.

          They are RELATED. They have many features in common. But because autism is an immune response against the brain, triggered by much smaller amounts of COMBINED TOXINS, the classic dose/response relationship and symptoms differ in some respects.

          Gulf War Syndrome is at last recognized by the government as a likely result of military vaccinations, which contain many substances which can be safely ingested, (like squalene, which is in olive oil ) but wreak havoc when injected into the bloodstream.

          "Despite repeated assurances that the vaccine was safe and necessary, a U.S. Federal Judge ruled that there was good cause to believe it was harmful, and he ordered the Pentagon to stop administering it in October 2004.[25] The ban was lifted in February 2008 after the FDA re-examined and approved the drug again. Anthrax vaccine is the only substance suspected in Persian Gulf War syndrome to which forced exposure has since been banned to protect troops from it.[26]

          Subsequent anthrax vaccines , however, have met with approval. On December 15, 2005, the Food and Drug Administration, released a Final Order finding that the current anthrax vaccines are safe and effective.[27][28][29] The anthrax vaccine currently used is not the same vaccine that was issued during the First Gulf War.[30]"

          - tmaxredaliaUS August 23, 2009 6:45PM

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          • MrBook
            demonstrated

            "They are RELATED. They have many features in common. But because autism is an immune response against the brain, triggered by much smaller amounts of COMBINED TOXINS, the classic dose/response relationship and symptoms differ in some respects."

            On what basis do you make that claim?

            "Gulf War Syndrome is at last recognized by the government as a likely result of military vaccinations, which contain many substances which can be safely ingested, (like squalene, which is in olive oil ) but wreak havoc when injected into the bloodstream."

            So one vaccine not working automatically extends to all other vaccines ?

            It also sounds like the issue with that vaccine was resolved, and it is now back in use.

            - MrBookUS August 23, 2009 8:34PM

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  • Fenrisulfr
    The argument never should have begun

    National Autism Association is closely allied with people who keep this beating this more than dead horse, the personal injury law firms. One of their board members works for a vaccine law firm. Their name is misleading as they are a very small group of people located in Nixa, MO in a small strip mall. It is unclear if anyone actually works there. This is not a national organization in the sense that Autism Society of America is with it's offices in Wash., DC. NAA is a group of people with a common goal of implicating vaccines for various selfish and neurotic reasons.

    Opposing Views has utterly failed to do due diligence when they put the "national autism association" up as an "expert".

    Read and listen to the "evidence" provided by these personal injury lawyers in the Omnibus Autism Hearing. The case will have to be decided against the parents. Their evidence is so poor it can't even rise to the level of being "science" and their experts repeatedly lied under oath.

    - Fenrisulfr July 24, 2008 7:33PM

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  • Vaccine911dotcom
    At the very least

    Medical professional should be honest with parents and be able to truthfully state that they don't know if vaccination causes Autism... The parent should have the right to make a decision based on that information.

    Unfortunately federal informed consent laws are for the most over looked important laws in history. Here is what the AMA officially states about informed consent on their web page......
    "Informed consent is more than simply getting a patient to sign a written consent form. It is a process of communication between a patient and physician that results in the patient's authorization or agreement to undergo a specific medical intervention...

    Forms that serve mainly to satisfy all legal requirements (stating for example that "all material risks have been explained to me") may not preclude a patient from asserting that the actual disclosure did not include risks that the patient unfortunately discovered after treatment. At the other extreme, listing all of the risks may not be wise either. "

    The AMA's own policy states it's not important for a parent to be given a fully informed consent in which to make a fully informed decision about the health and safety of their own children. Medical doctors shamelessly take advantage and refuse to properly inform parents that they don't really know.... Because they DON'T have the credible research that proves that vaccines DON'T cause autism.

    To learn more.. Vaccine911.com

    - Vaccine911dotcom August 29, 2008 10:24AM

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  • Plattsburgh Autism Alliance
    Unbiased Research needed

    The only way we can come to the end of this debate is if research is done by a neutral party which has no ties to pharmaceutical companies, the government, or any other organization that could influence the testing and results. Even if we say that there is no tie between mercury and autism, what about the other toxic ingredients in the vaccines? What about aluminum, formaldehyde, Antifreeze, 2-Phenoxyethanol, Phenol, Borax, Latex, Neomycin Sulfate, MSG, and live viruses, just to name a few.

    Another thing we should ask is why do we see improvements with biomedical treatments? Biomedical treatments, for those that are unfamiliar with them, help to bring the toxic load down, getting rid of the metals and toxins in the body, and raising nutrient levels. If there were no correlation between vaccinations and autism, how are our children having high levels of toxins in their blood then and why do we see improvements of those on biomedical treatments?

    There is a very good reason why the puzzle piece is used to represent autism. Vaccinations is just one of the pieces. All of the toxins in vaccines should be studied as well as the timing of vaccinations, reactions between the toxic chemicals, as well as genetic susceptibility.

    - Plattsburgh Autism Alliance August 29, 2008 6:16PM

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    • Kev Leitch
      Good science is independant

      Good science is, by its very nature, independent. When a paper is submitted to a journal for publication it has to first pass through peer review. This means that a 'panel' of experts from that particular discipline see if the paper is actually good enough to be published.
      There are several key issues that lead to a paper being deemed good enough. These include 'transparency' - e.g. are the methods the scientists used easy to see and do they make sense. Something else is 'reproducibility' - e.g. can the results of the paper be reproduced by any other scientist using the same methods? A transparent, reproducible paper is - by its very definition - independent of its authors. The science stands (or falls) on its own.

      - Kev LeitchGB August 30, 2008 12:00PM

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      • EdR77203
        Take a look at the Syracuse University Study

        It measured the mercury after vaccination. After three days the mercury was gone from the blood stream. I do not disagree with the measurements. I disagree with the conclusion that mercury preservatives in vaccines are okay because it leaves the blood stream after three days. The implication is that it leaves the body. Mercury by definition is a cumulative poison and accumulates in the tissues.
        You will find the study referenced at the CDC autism website.
        The paper was both transparent and reproducible. Nothing in the peer review says anything about the conclusions.

        - EdR77203US September 14, 2008 6:09PM

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        • Kev Leitch
          And it established what?

          OK, but what is your point with regard to the independence of science?

          - Kev LeitchGB September 15, 2008 12:58AM

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          • EdR77203
            The point?

            The point is that the conclusions are erroneous. Transparency, reproducibility and peer review did nothing to stop this.

            - EdR77203US September 15, 2008 6:52PM

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    • Kev Leitch
      Vaccine Components

      As I have discussed before ( http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/?p=873 ), there is more Aluminium in between 50 days to 1 years worth of breast feeding than in the entire paediatric vaccine schedule. There is no anti-freeze in vaccines. A single component of antifreeze – polyethylene glycol – is used to inactivate the flu virus in one brand of that vaccine; it is also used in the purification of certain vaccines. Its also used in some skin creams and toothpastes. 2-Phenoxyethanol us also used in skin creams and insect repellents. Its all very well reproducing an (inaccurate) list of scary sounding ingredients, when one actually looks at them, they are less scary.
      Biomed treatments such as chelation etc have no scientific evidence to say that they have any sort of effect on autism at all. Anecdotes from parents are not reliable. An example of this was the testimony of Michelle Cedillo ( http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/?p=573 ) where the parents felt their daughter regressed into autism after the MMR. Using home videos it was easy to see that she was in fact showing clear signs of autism prior to the MMR.

      - Kev LeitchGB August 30, 2008 12:12PM

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      • Plattsburgh Autism Alliance
        RE: Vaccine Components

        I have seen complete lists of vaccine ingredients and yes, it is scary considering the number of neurotoxins. I am certainly not opposed to vaccines, there is enough proof out there of the diseases they help either prevent or reducing the chances of being infected by disease, however I think it's important for the scientific community to find alternative ingredients that do not require these toxins. As far as biomeds are concerned, chelation is only one type of treatment and seems to be the one most talked about. GFCF diets is another form of biomed and so are nutritional supplements. The GFCF diet and supplements did not cure my son but did make some very noticeable and dramatic improvements with his autism. Not every treatment works for everyone that is why there is no scientific evidence and also what makes autism all the more puzzling. I wouldn't completely discredit the words from all parents for the sake of a few nor would I discredit the words from all doctors for the sake of a few. As for the example of Michelle Cedillo, I believe it is a very sad situation because the signs of autism where not noticed as early as they should have been. I believe either in that situation it is a lack of knowledge about the signs of autism or denial. Autism is certainly not a word a parent wants to hear and for some, it is easier to pass these signs off as something else.

        - Plattsburgh Autism Alliance August 30, 2008 6:43PM

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        • Kev Leitch
          Toxins are only toxic at the right level

          What you describe as 'toxins' are only actually harmful at the 'right' level. The Aluminium example I gave you is a good example of this. The amount of Aluminium in vaccines is totally safe. If it wasn't then any child who was breastfed for between 50 days to a year would show devastating neurological injury.
          There is no evidence the GFCF diet makes any changes to autism ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18425890 ). Further, there is no evidence that children with autism have gastric issues in numbers over and above non-autistic children ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18311517 ).However, there is evidence that CF diets can lead children to have reduced bone thickness ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17879151 ).

          - Kev LeitchGB August 31, 2008 12:13AM

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          • Plattsburgh Autism Alliance
            RE: Toxins are only toxic at the right level

            I was not saying that people with autism have gastric issues in numbers over and above non-autistics, not sure where you got that impression from. I put my son on an GFCF diet because he had gastrointestinal issues as well as being autistic and the diet helped with both. I've seen first hand it works. It does not work for every child nor does every other form of therapy, even more traditional ones. If there was one form of therapy that worked for everyone, we wouldn't need IEPs. If parents discover something that helps their autistic children, I think they should do it (but do it responsibly). When you start any diet, it's best to consult a doctor. If you are on any type of diet at all you are taking away nutrients you would normally be getting through those foods. If you are on a CF diet and are not taking calcium supplements, of course you will see reduced bone thickness as well as other symptoms of calcium deficiency. I would much rather see our tax money go to research at finding the cause of autism and preferablly not putting even more chemicals into their bodies such as the clincal trials that are happening right now that are testing out antipsychotics on our children only to reduce the symptoms http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/trials/autism-spectrum-disorders-pervasive-developmental-disorders.shtml

            - Plattsburgh Autism Alliance August 31, 2008 9:38AM

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          • EdR77203
            No evidence and yet

            There is no evidence that the GFCF diet makes any change to autism?

            I can only say that it did not make any difference for my son, but my brother's son is a different person without the GFCF diet. It is hard for me to buy into this conclusion, at least for some autistics.

            - EdR77203US September 14, 2008 6:12PM

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            • Kev Leitch
              Anecdote is not evidence

              What you are talking about is personal anecdote. I referred to a study. Anecdotes are not reliable.

              - Kev LeitchGB September 15, 2008 12:59AM

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              • EdR77203
                Anecdotes are different if you live it

                My brother has had numerous occassions of his son on the GFCF diet and when his son was known to violate it. My brother and his son live it and the on off experiences they have had makes it as real and reliable for them as it is going to get.

                BTW, do you really expect much to get published if it does not support the pro-vax agenda?

                - EdR77203US September 15, 2008 7:08PM

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          • tmaxredalia
            Yes, but those tests were done on adults.

            Infants are far more sensitive to most poisons than grownups, because of their rapid cell growth and developing nervous and immune systems. You know this, but you persist in this aluminum fantasy.

            And ingestion is not the same exposure as INJECTION, is it? You know this and yet you continue to hammer this drum as if it were relevant.

            What I see is a continuing pattern of intellectual dishonesty in your remarks.

            Or do you think you will get the same results if you eat a steak, if you puree and inject it?

            - tmaxredaliaUS August 22, 2009 6:00PM

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            • MrBook
              Breast Milk

              Yet the rate of exposure to aluminum is far higher in breast milk vs. vaccines ( http://www.chop.edu/consumer/jsp/division/generic.jsp?id=88655 ).

              According to that study infants receive 4.4mg of aluminum in their first six months due to vaccines... where as they get 7mg (75% greater) from breast feeding , 38mg (9.5 times greater) from formula, and 117mg (29.25 time greater) from soy based formulas.

              If there is a link between aluminum and autism then there should be a correlation between autism and formula fed infants as well.

              - MrBookUS August 23, 2009 10:24AM

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              • tmaxredalia
                No, Not Really...

                ... because it's the CUMULATIVE and COMBINED effect of MULTIPLE POISONS that cause the autoimmune reaction known as autism . Autistic kids have antibodies AGAINST THEIR OWN BRAIN TISSUES. That's why autistic brains are bigger than average. They are swollen with edema due to the allergic response.

                And the FORM of aluminum is not the same, so the response should not be, either. Is it aluminum oxide? Aluminum chlorhydrate? Aluminum oxalate? Otherwise, why would potassium ferrOcyanide be much more toxic than potassium ferrIcyanide?

                And you continue to pretend that INGESTING poison orally and INJECTING poison present the same danger.

                INJECTION IS FAR MORE DANGEROUS BECAUSE EATING POISON DOES NOT RESULT IN 100% ABSORPTION.

                Much of the poison passes through the digestive tract without entering the bloodstream. This is why doctors have to give medicine in larger amounts orally than intravenously.

                You seem incapable of grasping the "Big Picture" and think that by focusing on narrow little diversions like your aluminum argument, that your position has any merit. Your argument is akin to, 'John Wilkes Booth did not shoot Abraham Lincoln because I did not see it happen.'

                Of course you don't see it. You don't WANT to see it. But that doesn't mean it isn't there, or that nobody else sees it.

                - tmaxredaliaUS August 23, 2009 4:24PM

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    • tbcass
      Not Really

      Biomedical treatments are almost always given along with behavioral treatments and therapy. Behavioral treatments do work. Biomedical treatments do not.

      http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/06/050602174452.htm

      - tbcassUS January 13, 2009 11:07AM

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  • tbcass
    Wrong

    The increase is due to changes in diagnostics not actual cases of Autism. In the old days only the most severe cases were classed as Autism. Now children that before would simply be classed as "different" or Hyperactive or even ADD are now classified as Autistic. One of my Grand Children has been classed as Autistic yet he seems like a normal, extremely intelligent 4 year old with quirks to me. He's a lot like I was as a child. I guess I'm Autistic.

    - tbcassUS January 13, 2009 11:02AM

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    • tmaxredalia
      Ask Any K-6 Teacher or Pediatrician...

      ...who has been in the business for more than 30 years if they see the same number of sickly or autistic kids as they did when they started, 30 years ago.

      - tmaxredaliaUS August 22, 2009 6:03PM

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      • MrBook
        bias

        Were those teachers trained in autism diagnosis 30 years ago? Is their evidence based on their memories or actual recorded observations? Would a child diagnosed with mild autism receive the same diagnosis 15 or 30 years ago?

        A study published in Pediatrics ( http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/117/4/1028 ) puts forth strong evidence that the increase in autism cases is due to improved diagnosis techniques.

        - MrBookUS August 23, 2009 9:46AM

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        • tmaxredalia
          And how about the appearance of autism in Eritean refugee's kids?

          They had never seen a single case of autism back in Eritrea. They call it "the American Disease" in Minnesota. And it's full-blown autism, at a rate three times the native population.

          - tmaxredaliaUS August 23, 2009 4:00PM

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          • MrBook
            [Citation needed]

            If there has never been a single case of autism in Eritrea then why does the Eritrean Relief Association ( http://www.justgiving.com/eritreanrauk /) have support for those with autism in Eritrea?

            How does this relate to the rate of vaccination within the Eritrean population and what are the diagnostic processes like in Eritrea?

            - MrBookUS August 23, 2009 4:21PM

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              • MrBook
                maybe isn't yes

                Can you show that they received our old vaccines ... or that those old vaccines cause increased rates of autism ?

                From that first link:

                "Though health officials emphasized that their report was based on very limited data, they concluded that young Somali children appeared to be two to seven times as likely as other children to be in classes for autistic pupils."

                So the study was not conclusive... it also does not mention the vaccination rate for those individuals. Further... if vaccines cause autism then the more modern vaccines will cause it more frequently (the rate of autism diagnosis having increased), and thus the rates of autism in populations vaccinated with older vaccines should be lower then the general population.

                The Kennedy report on the Simpsonwood conference was full of misrepresentations and quarter truths.... The very first paragraph contains a misrepresentation

                "All of the scientific data under discussion, CDC officials repeatedly reminded the participants, was strictly "embargoed." There would be no making photocopies of documents, no taking papers with them when they left."

                when on page 256 one finds:
                "consider it embargoed and protected until it is made public on June 21 and 22 at the ACIP. There is a plan to do that."

                Mr. Kennedy also cites the claims of Dr. Weil in support... but Dr. Weil was only one of those attending the conference. When asked to grade the causal relationship the mean was 1.8 out of six, with all but Dr. Weil grading it between 1 and 2, Dr. Weil gave it a 4

                Your next source just gives the numbers from one year, it does not show an increase in cases. We also must consider the possibility that the increase in cases is due to improved diagnosis techniques.

                Your third source makes claims but does not provide any sources to back them up, it is only four paragraphs long, with no citations at all. I'm also not following their conclusion... they claim that the number of autism cases is growing at the rate of 10% a year... but don't provide anything to back their claim up, aside from stating "The results of our research indicate that the estimated number of children between 4-12 years in China with symptoms of ASD is between 112,000 to 500,000, with the range indicating variances when IQ factors are included in the diagnoses."

                The final link you provide claims that the rate of autism is increasing, but provides no context or references to support that claim... nor does it even mention possible causes.



                - MrBookUS August 23, 2009 8:10PM

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        • tmaxredalia
          The School Psychologists Were Trained to Diagnose Autism

          My mother has been a practicing school psychologist for 37 years. She has seen the incidence of autism and other autoimmune illness rise dramatically. And she attributes the increase to improved diagnostics AND increased vaccination .

          - tmaxredaliaUS August 23, 2009 4:32PM

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          • MrBook
            interesting!

            Has she published her study?

            How does she correlate vaccination to autism ? The number of people vaccinated has increased so it would be expected that the number of autistic individuals who were vaccinated has increased... so that effect would have to be canceled out.

            - MrBookUS August 23, 2009 8:25PM

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          • tbcass
            Please

            Anecdotal evidence such has this has no scientific validity at all. Your mothers belief isn't worth 2 cents.

            - tbcassUS August 24, 2009 6:53AM

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      • tbcass
        Joke

        Give it up. After looking over your "proofs" and links I am even more convinced that there is no Autism/Vaccination link. It's all "Junk" science .

        - tbcassUS August 24, 2009 6:57AM

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  • EsteeKlar
    Stunning

    How people can keep the vaccine myth alive.

    - EsteeKlarCA January 23, 2009 5:30AM

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  • billdaddy
    All Ovwer Nothing

    The need for a study on vaccinated vs unvaccinated populations could solve the mystery. Contrary to the CDC's reports and government statistics, there have been studies done on vaccinated vs, unvaccinated populations. They just aren't published or the findings are disputed based on junk science. Nobody can spin the facts better than the people keeping the records. The studies have shown an indisputable link between autism and vaccines for years. Common sense shows the same link.

    - billdaddyUS March 6, 2009 9:34AM

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  • ejpt
    Day care center owner for 18 years

    I had at least one thousand children in my daycare between 1981 and 1999. I had worked for several months at a university research center for autism in the 1970's so I had some familiarity with autistic children. I recall only one or two children in all the years I owned my daycare that I might consider to have been even possibly slightly autistic. My daycare was very mainstream but we did take care of one child part time who was disabled after the DPT vaccine and he had suffered seizures. So we had very few instances of any vaccine issue. However, I became more and more alarmed at the amount of vaccines that were being given to infants and toddlers in the late 1990's. I thought it was completely out of line for the health care people to decide to add a vaccine such as Hep B not because an infant or toddler might be exposed to Hep but because it was much more difficult to get a child vaccinated as a teen or preteen when exposure may be more likely. The amount of vaccines and the close time span between innoculations is, I believe, way too much for the infant's barely developed system to cope with and I strongly suspect there is the vaccine link. I have never heard of any studies being conducted prior to approving the increased amount of vaccines and combination of vaccines being given to very young children and babies. I would certainly not allow that schedule and quantity for my young child. I would insist the vaccines be spread out. I can not believe the estimate of 1 in 150 childen being diagnosed with autism. Based on my experience, the huge and sudden increase in the diagnosis of autism not because we have better diagnosis techniques and is more likely to be an overuse of the vaccines. The children in my daycare all had MMR shots as required at around age 12 months. Many children had a subsequent fever reaction but no other complications that we ever noted so I do not believe it is a specific vaccine but instead it is the combination and frequency that is a big problem.

    - ejptUS March 26, 2009 9:41PM

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  • Rashi18
    Consider other sources of mercury

    The High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) manufacturers have been battling reports that some kinds of processing result in levels of mercury in some products containing HFCS. The manufacturers have countered this claim. There are so many food products that contain corn syrup. This causes one to wonder whether or not mercury levels in humans are caused by experiences with other vectors (aside from vaccines). Perhaps we need to think about this in more depth. Blaming one possible vector is a poor choice.

    - Rashi18US March 30, 2009 9:49AM

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  • gatorgirl7563
    a convenient scapegoat

    Vaccines are a convenient scapegoat for the cause of autism since the first vaccines are given around the same age that autism is usually diagnosed. Parents are confused, frightened and vulnerable. A doctor just told them that their perfect little bundle of joy has a brain disorder that (depending on the severity) could mean a lifetime of care.

    The mercury in vaccines is ethyl-mercury a harmless organic form of mercury that is water soluble(can be excreted through urine).

    Methyl-mercury is the persistent, fat-soluble form of mercury that can biomagnify and bioaccumulate. The dangers of mercury first got major public attention around the 1970s after a local company dumped an estimated 27 tons of mercury compounds that were converted by anerobic bacteria methyl-mercury into Minamata Bay in Japan. The methyl-mercury biomagnified in the food chain, was eaten by the residents of the locals fishing villages and caused a myriad of health problems that damaged nerves, organs, the brain, and caused babies to be born with all aforementioned problems plus physical deformities. (I believe that the babies either had deformed arms, no arms, or arms that were flipper-like.)

    I am SURE that the mercury in vaccines is totally unrelated to the occurrence of autism in children , because vaccines are now completely mercury-free and the incidence of autism is increasing instead of decreasing.

    - gatorgirl7563US June 13, 2009 6:17PM

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    • tmaxredalia
      Fluvax, Fluvirin and other vaccines...

      ... still contain mercury and many other poisons. Look at the list of vaccine ingredients. My favorites are formaldehyde and aborted fetal tissue.

      - tmaxredaliaUS August 22, 2009 6:06PM

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  • cwadsgo
    AUTISM LIES

    THEY ARE LINKED BUT ONLY THIS WAY..
    I am the father of an autistic son, At 16 mos he was a perfectly normal little boy. His mother carried him in for a regular check up and as was the norm the nurse suggested time for the MMR
    combo vaccine ,which was ok kendall being the fifth of our six children . When mother and child returned home from the hospital, kendall was naturally sleepy and lay down on my bed and took about an hour nap. Kendall awakened and came into the great room trying to walk on the balls of his feet and waving his arms abnormally and unintelligible nosies ..He is now nine years old, has seen
    dozens of doctors and is now an out patient of Glenwood. I have studied, read and listened to every thing I can get my hands on concerning autism , naturally occurring and medically assisted..
    I thought for years the drug company's and their paid supporters were lying, they were not. They used carefully worded testimony always claiming the vaccines did not cause autism. They were correct...IT WAS THE PRESERVATIVES ( FORMALDEHYDE AND MERCURY ) THAT WAS ADDED TO GIVE THE CONCOCTION A LONG SHELF LIFE, as it was first developed the shelf life was very short, hence the PROFITS very short. I believe the food and drug administration was paid off, to allow the added components ( formaldehyde and mercury ) TWO OF THE MOST POISONOUS SUBSTANCES KNOWN TO MAN TO BE INJECTED INTO OUR CHILDREN ..one more thing,, naturally occurring autism one birth in about six thousand ,,,With the help of the GREEDY drug companies ONE IN ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY BIRTHS ..THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER....

    - cwadsgoUS August 3, 2009 8:53AM

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    • MrBook
      tragic

      Tragic to be sure... however there has never been a conclusive link between vaccines and autism . The only study that came close has been proven to be composed of falsified data.

      - MrBookUS August 10, 2009 10:38PM

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      • cwadsgo
        You cannot read with understanding

        1. U.S. Government Concedes Vaccines Cause Autism

        The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the federal agency that oversees the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recently conceded the first vaccine- autism case.

        This case was filed in the no-fault National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program as part of the Autism Omnibus proceedings in the U.S. Federal Court of Claims.

        It was one of the first three cases chosen that alleged Thimerosal in childhood vaccines significantly contributed to a child developing autism.

        Clifford Shoemaker, of Shoemaker and Associates of Vienna, Virginia, is the attorney of record in the Hanna Poling v. Secretary of HHS (case: 02-1466V).

        Experts filing on behalf of the petitioner, Hanna Poling, included pediatric neurologist, Dr. Andrew Zimmerman of Johns Hopkins University, and Maryland geneticist and epidemiologist, Dr. Mark Geier of the Genetic Centers of America.

        This concession shows the dishonesty of the continual media spin coming from public health officials and others who maintain there is no evidence that Thimerosal, or any other part of any vaccine, has ever caused autism or, for that matter, has harmed anyone in any way.

        The facts are that the Vaccine Compensation Act has already compensated over 2,000 individuals who proved that they were harmed by vaccines, resulting in settlements of nearly two billion dollars.

        Additionally, hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific/medical articles from some the world’s best universities have long implicated Thimerosal in vaccines as a causal factor in neurodevelopmental disorders including autism.

        Furthermore, in 2003, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Government Reform Committee, after a 3.5-year investigation, concluded that Thimerosal caused the autism epidemic and that the FDA and health authorities were guilty of “institutional malfeasance” in covering it up.

        Evidence supporting the connection between mercury and autism include:

        Published studies from the US and France showing that urinary porphyrins, a biomarker for body-burden of mercury, are elevated in patients diagnosed with autistic disorders ( http://www.mercury-freedrugs.org ).
        A published study by researchers at Harvard University that found twice as much mercury and oxidative stress in the brains of those with an autism diagnosis as found in the brains of those who were normal.
        A study from the US showing a significant relationship between increasing blood mercury levels and an increased risk of a diagnosis of an autistic disorder.
        Numerous papers by independent researchers showing a link between increasing mercury exposure from childhood vaccines and the risk of a child developing an autistic disorder.
        Several papers showing that adding low levels of Thimerosal to certain blood, brain, eye, immune, liver and/or muscle cells poisons their cellular mitochondrial pathways and can induce cell death.
        Today, despite being banned in Europe and restricted in 7 U.S. states, Thimerosal-containing flu vaccines are still recommended for routine administration to pregnant women and infants, with little or no warning of the presence of this known poison in these and other vaccines.

        Vaccines have and will continue to save many lives. However, an immediate ban and recall of vaccines

        - cwadsgoUS August 10, 2009 10:48PM

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        • MrBook
          mercury and so on

          “This concession shows the dishonesty of the continual media spin coming from public health officials and others who maintain there is no evidence that Thimerosal, or any other part of any vaccine, has ever caused autism or, for that matter, has harmed anyone in any way.”

          Hanna Poling has a rare (only 4 other cases known) mitochondrial disease that was aggravated by the vaccinations. A disease that does present autism like symptoms but is not autism…

          the actual text of the ruing is as follows…
          Medical personnel at the Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation, Department of Health and Human Services (DVIC) have reviewed the facts of this case, as presented by the petition, medical records, and affidavits. After a thorough review, DVIC has concluded that compensation is appropriate in this case.
          In sum, DVIC has concluded that the facts of this case meet the statutory criteria for demonstrating that the vaccinations CHILD received on July 19, 2000, significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder, which predisposed her to deficits in cellular energy metabolism, and manifested as a regressive encephalopathy with features of autism spectrum disorder. Therefore, respondent recommends that compensation be awarded to petitioners in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(c)(1)(C)(ii).

          There is no serious claim that vaccines have never ‘harmed anyone in any way’. There are cases (rare ones) where vaccines have caused problems. There may be an allergic reaction due to the components of the vaccine or due to an auto-immune disorder.

          “The facts are that the Vaccine Compensation Act has already compensated over 2,000 individuals who proved that they were harmed by vaccines, resulting in settlements of nearly two billion dollars.”

          Out of how many vaccinated in that timeframe? I don’t find it the least bit odd that the Vaccine Compensation Act is compensating people who suffered medical problems due to vaccines.

          “Additionally, hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific/medical articles from some the world’s best universities have long implicated Thimerosal in vaccines as a causal factor in neurodevelopmental disorders including autism.”

          [Citation needed]

          http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/118/1/e139 seem to indicate otherwise:

          ‘Using logistic regression models of the prevalence data, we found no significant effect of thimerosal exposure used either as a continuous or a categorical variable. Thus, thimerosal exposure was unrelated to the increasing trend in pervasive developmental disorder prevalence. These results were robust when additional analyses were performed to address possible limitations because of the ecological nature of the data and to evaluate potential effects of misclassification on exposure or diagnosis. Measles-mumps-rubella vaccination coverage averaged 93% during the study interval with a statistically significant decreasing trend from 96.1% in the older birth cohorts (1988–89) to 92.4% in younger birth cohorts (1996–1998). Thus, pervasive developmental disorder rates significantly increased when measles-mumps-rubella vaccination uptake rates significantly decreased.’

          “Furthermore, in 2003, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Government Reform Committee, after a 3.5-year investigation, concluded that Thimerosal caused the autism epidemic and that the FDA and health authorities were guilty of “institutional malfeasance” in covering it up.”

          [Citation needed] on that one as well… see the above study that showed that while the presence of reported developmental disorders increased (believed to be an increase in diagnosis rather then an increase in occurrence) the use of vaccines remained constant. There was also a study done in 2001 as to the long term effects of Thimerosal ( http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/107/5/1147 ) which records:

          ‘The only well-established hazard of thimerosal at doses found in vaccines is delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. At very high doses, the identified hazards of thimerosal are neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Methylmercury, a similar organic mercurial, has been associated in some studies with subtle neurodevelopmental abnormalities at low doses. Although the data are limited, similar toxicological profiles between ethylmercury and methylmercury suggest that neurotoxicity may also occur at low doses of thimerosal; however, such effects have not been reported.’


          It is also worth noting that while the number of autism cases has been increasing the presence of Thimerosal has been decreasing since 1999 when the CDC, as a preventative measure, asked that the use of Thimerosal be phased out.

          - MrBookUS August 12, 2009 5:27PM

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          • cwadsgo
            silly babblings

            mrbook
            your silly rambling rhetoric is just that, you don;t make a bit of sense
            you are what God speaks of in his word, sottish and stiffed necked..
            read this with understanding..But you will not, you are unable,
            I will not waste any more time responding to your silly drivel...

            - cwadsgoUS August 13, 2009 7:37AM

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            • MrBook
              dribbling

              “I will not waste any more time responding to your silly drivel...”

              What in my discourse was ‘silly drivel’? You presented claims that the mercury in Thirmosal is the cause of Autism, to which I responded with studies that seem to show otherwise.

              You also cited the Hanna Poling case as one where the US government admitted that vaccines cause autism to which I provided the exact text of the opinion from that court… which did not state that vaccines had caused autism, but rather that the vaccine interacted with a very rare genetic disorder resulting in a variety of medical conditions … including autism-like symptoms.

              Even if I accepted your premise that mercury in vaccines causes Autism then how is the Hanna Poling case the government admitting to that fact?

              - MrBookUS August 13, 2009 7:42PM

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        • MrBook
          and so forth

          “Published studies from the US and France showing that urinary porphyrins, a biomarker for body-burden of mercury, are elevated in patients diagnosed with autistic disorders ( http://www.mercury-freedrugs.org ). “

          Correlation is not causation. Can it be demonstrated that the elevated levels of mercury are the result of the presence of Thimerosal or could it come from other environmental factors? The study shows an association between urinary porphyrins and the occurrence of Autism, but that does not automatically imply that the high levels of porphyrins were caused by the presence of Thimerosal in vaccines . Indeed the study was done from 2005 to 2006, six years after the phase out of Thimerosal began.

          “A published study by researchers at Harvard University that found twice as much mercury and oxidative stress in the brains of those with an autism diagnosis as found in the brains of those who were normal.
          A study from the US showing a significant relationship between increasing blood mercury levels and an increased risk of a diagnosis of an autistic disorder.
          Numerous papers by independent researchers showing a link between increasing mercury exposure from childhood vaccines and the risk of a child developing an autistic disorder.
          Several papers showing that adding low levels of Thimerosal to certain blood, brain, eye, immune, liver and/or muscle cells poisons their cellular mitochondrial pathways and can induce cell death.”

          [Citation needed] for these. There are many studies (some of which I have already listed that indicate otherwise.

          “Today, despite being banned in Europe and restricted in 7 U.S. states, Thimerosal-containing flu vaccines are still recommended for routine administration to pregnant women and infants, with little or no warning of the presence of this known poison in these and other vaccines.”

          Because it has never been demonstrated to be dangerous in the concentrations used in vaccines.

          “Vaccines have and will continue to save many lives. However, an immediate ban and recall of vaccines”

          Your response there seems to be clipped… If you are asking for a removal of Thimerosal from vaccines then that is already in progress. It takes time to develop new preservatives, and there are known dangers in the removal of Thimerosal from use (bacterial contamination of vaccines was responsible for the development of Thimerosal back in the 1930s). Due to safety concerns there is a fairly long ‘spin up time’ between the development of something like Thimerosal and it’s wide spread application (developed in 1930s it did not reach saturation until the 1980s).

          - MrBookUS August 12, 2009 5:27PM

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Regarding Objection
'Stunning Increase' In What?
- From Kev Leitch
No Side
By Kevin Leitch - Parent and Autism Activist

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  • Sullivan
    There are still studies ongoing

    The recent study on MMR and autism in children who regressed and have GI symptoms show that this is not entirely closed. There is at least one more study on thimerosal and autism which is due out this month (Sept. 08). As more data comes in, the hypotheses mutate. Now it's "too many, too soon" (without any substantiation). When can this be called finished?

    Seriously. If the autism communities do not accept good science, we are only hurting ourselves.

    - Sullivan September 5, 2008 5:45PM

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  • EdR77203
    Maybe you are not old enough

    When I grew up we had never heard of autism. I was twenty eight when I first saw an autistic child on a news program . My son is twenty one. There had not been any autistic children in his elementary school when his sister enrolled four years before. Suddenly there were two and another just down the street who did not attend the elementary school. We sent my son to the Day Treatment Center here in Denver, Colorado, enrolling him when there was room, just before the calls came in that overwhelmed it.
    The woman who ran the program knew autism. The people who came to see about getting their children enrolled in the program had autistic children. She watched the bow wave come in and overwhelm the system. Back then the CDC said that there is no epidemic. She knew better and said so.
    There is an epidemic. The peer review system is run by medical people who rightly are pro-vax. I do not expect them to say that there is a stunning increase in autism because that would say that there is an epidemic. An epidemic by definition involves environmental causes. The pro-vaxers do not have any environmental causes to propose. I do not wonder that they say that there is no epidemic to deflect such unwanted attention from vaccines.
    Your mantra "Show me the peer reviewed study" does not work when that system is run by medical personnel who are rightly pro-vax.
    In the fourth grade, my son lost the ability to hold a pencil right after vaccination with the Hep-B shot. This raises my eyebrows, even my hackles, but I am still rational. I know that the timing does not prove that his loss was caused by the shot.
    I expect that there will never be a "peer reviewed" study on this. But I was there. I watched the bow wave start coming in before any thought was given to a change in diagnostics. There is an epidemic.

    - EdR77203US September 15, 2008 6:47PM

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    • Ivar T
      There's ghosts because your eyes can't see them...



      There were autistic people back in the fifties', but Ed wouldn't hear about them cuz the severely disabled was stuck in institutions and the ones who would today get diagnoses like Asperger syndrome would mainly be considered weird, maybe with a lack of responsibility or something.

      You appear to focus on children, not all know what to look for in children if autism is their concern - and I bet you didn't aswell back in the days.

      - Ivar TNO November 5, 2008 4:12AM

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      • EdR77203
        Do you have an autistic child?

        Cause if you do then you know that you have to find out what is going on. That is just as true in the fifties as it is now.

        When the studies were done that showed the autism rate climbing when mercury was taken out, it left the unanswered question "Why is it still climbing?" The speculation that it is a change in diagnostics hit the air and the pro-vax side ran away with it, doing so without any experiments to support it.

        But that would be junk science wouldn't it.

        - EdR77203US November 14, 2008 9:25PM

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        • Ivar T
          I've been an autistic kid

          ... and my parents have certainly taken the way I am for granted.

          There has been studies supporting it. It has been revealed that people who had been picked up for having e.g. speech difficulties a few decades ago are often fit for an autism spectrum diagnosis today, but they wouldn't get any because few ever knew of autism back then.

          - Ivar TNO November 15, 2008 2:37AM

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          • EdR77203
            Re" I've been an autistic kid.

            Your speech would indicate that you fit into the asperger's spectrum. The ones who fit into the "classically autistic" spectrum would not and could not be ignored. The number of these cases have risen and the "change in diagnostics" does not explain the rise.

            - EdR77203US November 15, 2008 8:17AM

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            • Ivar T
              whatever title

              Something tells me that you've your own lil set of definitions of what is what when you say Asperger's 'spectrum', instead of the more common name, syndrome.

              My bad grammar should first and foremost indicate that I English is not my native language. Asperger syndrome is indeed the diagnosis I've been given, but my behavior was "more severe" when I was younger as with many others diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Many who get a diagnosis of Kanner's autism as a kid are more fit for Asperger syndrome when they grow older.

              You appear to imply that you have yourself a kid on the spectrum. In what age group is xe? As you already have put some kind of Ad Hominem attack in my direction I would like to point out that, at least in my experience, parents of older children have a lot more perspective. While parents of younger ones often tend to be emotional with irrational reasoning, not fully accepting of how their child turned out.

              - Ivar TNO November 15, 2008 9:58AM

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              • EdR77203
                My son's progress

                Your English is very good.

                My son is 21 and he was diagnosed as classicly autistic. He is doing much better than I would ever have expected overcoming aphasia (inability to talk), hypersensitivity to sound, repetitive behaviors, eye contact issues, skill losses and other issues. Today he is a sophomore studying engineering. I would never have predicted this outcome for him.

                BTW, the reason I am uncommitted is because the statistical test to determine if there is a relationship between vaccines and autism is to compare the autism rate among the vaccinated population to the vaccination rate among the unvaccinated population. This experiment has never been done.

                - EdR77203US November 15, 2008 10:27AM

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Regarding Argument
Conflicts of Interest Seem to Outweigh Our Children's Interest
- From NAA
Yes Side
By National Autism Association - Think Autism. Think Cure.

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Regarding Objection
Not Just Epidemiology and Conflicts Go Both Ways
- From Kev Leitch
No Side
By Kevin Leitch - Parent and Autism Activist

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Regarding Argument
Denmark Didn't Hit the Mark
- From NAA
Yes Side
By National Autism Association - Think Autism. Think Cure.

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  • KarenAtlanta
    Vax vs Unvaxed STUDY Now!

    We desperately need a study comparing vaccinated to unvaccinated.(ie the Amish)
    What is the CDC afraid to find?
    Enough of these old flawed studies rife with conflict of interest.
    That says it all.
    Follow the money.

    - KarenAtlanta July 24, 2008 10:11PM

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    • EdR77203
      No such study has been done

      I agree. No such study has been done. Carolyn Maloney, Rep NY, and Tom Osborne, Rep NY, have written legislation to do this. It does not have much support.

      - EdR77203US September 14, 2008 6:15PM

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Regarding Argument
The Science Is There
- From NAA
Yes Side
By National Autism Association - Think Autism. Think Cure.

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  • wallace12603
    Autism and Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Two different things

    Mitochondrial dysfunction is a different condition than autism, regardless of "symptoms". Mitochondrial dysfunction can be cured or conrtolled with medications specifically made for that purpose. Autism cannot be cured or controlled with medication. Certain actions or behaviors that occur due to autism can be somewhat controlled with medication, but there is no medication that will make an autistic child completely 'normal', as medications do when they remove the mercury in a childs body from vaccines.

    - wallace12603US July 31, 2008 1:12PM

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  • Don
    To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate? That is the question

    The National Autism Association has significant evidence that links autism to vaccines. The evidence on the "No" side is also compelling. What the question comes down to is "Is NOT vaccinating your children irresponsible?"
    If we do ot vaccinate our children are we, in fact, putting children who have been vaccinated at risk?
    Should children who are not vaccinated be allowed to go into schools? I would like opinions on this question.

    - DonUS August 19, 2008 4:43PM

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    • Kev Leitch
      You're correct

      Not only are we putting children who have been vaccinated at risk but also children who cannot be vaccinated for genuine medical reasons. In fact, a teenager in the UK died in just these circumstances a few months ago: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2166778/Teenager-dies-of-measles-as-cases-continue-to-rise ,-Government-officials-say.html

      One thing I do take issue with - you say the NAA has significant evidence? What evidence would that be?

      - Kev LeitchGB August 21, 2008 1:18AM

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    • steve70638
      Where

      Don,

      You state:
      "The National Autism Association has significant evidence that links autism to vaccines "

      My question is where do they have this information? All I can find on their website is reference is the Wakefield article which has been both completely discredited and not reproducible.
      http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/mmr.php

      Mercury has been cleared since it is no longer being used and there has been no drop in autism diagnosis rates.

      I just feel all this chatter without references about mercury and vaccines is simply taking attention off other research that might advance what we know about autism.

      - steve70638US June 3, 2009 1:08PM

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  • gatorgirl7563
    wrong mercury

    Harmless organic ethyl-mercury is in vaccines , not hazardous methyl-mercury.

    - gatorgirl7563US June 13, 2009 7:01PM

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Regarding Argument
Not Just Mercury
- From NAA
Yes Side
By National Autism Association - Think Autism. Think Cure.

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  • Kristam
    Hepatitis B Shot

    My son received this shot the day he was born, 1 at 2 months and 1 at 4 months,which at the time was a Washington State requirement. I have always been convinced that this was the sole cause of his Autism. Since then, I ask any doctor I see to give me 1 good reason why a new born baby is required to have this shot. Isn't the only way to get Hep B from drug use and sex? If I am tested during my pregnancy, what are the odds my baby will get this. The only response I have received is, " we cannot trust that parents will get their children this shot later in life, so we must do this when they are infants." Personally this reasoning does not make sense. I wonder how many children have Autism because of this useless, unnecessary shot.

    - Kristam August 29, 2008 11:43AM

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    • Kev Leitch
      No, thats not right

      Infants are very much in a risk group for Hep B. Transmission occurs via:

      1) unprotected sexual contact,
      2) blood transfusions,
      3) re-use of contaminated needles & syringes,
      4) and vertical transmission from mother to child during childbirth.

      Transmission between family members can also occur via nonintact skin.

      What peer reviewed evidence do you have to support your opinion that the Hep B caused your sons autism?

      - Kev LeitchGB August 29, 2008 12:09PM

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      • Kristam
        Re: No, that's not right

        Ok- You are right about that the ways of getting Hep B, I did not mention those, but as I did mentioned, if I had been tested for Hep B before having him, how can he receive it during child birth? Odds are pretty against sexual contact as a baby, blood transfusion; not only that he would need one, but that the blood that he gets is contaminated, and needles that are re-used and that are contaminated. I believe that the levels of aluminum and mercury can cause a much greater risk for a child than the slim to no chance that Hep B will happen.

        I have no proof that my son has autism because of these shots, but I do know that the reactions he had after the shots were not normal. He never did regress, but he had the signs of Autism since day one. It is a gut feeling that this was the cause. In addition to that, his Challenge test prove that he is loaded up on Mercury and Aluminum. How else would you suggest that I have proof that it was these shots. If there was a way to prove this, I do not imagine there would be this ongoing debate and we would all agree. Do you have a way to support your opinion on it not being the cause. I would be interested in hearing this, maybe I will be convinced.

        I do have one last question for you, why is it that babies receive this vaccination in the State of WA, and here in Charlotte, NC this is a not a requirement until Middle School. I think that shot is overall a good thing, but why at such a young age?

        - Kristam August 29, 2008 12:51PM

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      • crunchymom
        You use "Very Much In a Risk Group" Quite Loosely

        The CDC's own documentation on Hepatits B States:

        "In the United States, Western Europe, and Australia, HBV infection is a disease of low endemicity. Infection occurs primarily during adulthood, and only 0.1% to 0.5% of the population are chronic carriers. Lifetime risk of HBV infection is less than 20% in low prevalence areas."

        http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/hepb.pdf

        If, as a doctor, you cannot restrain yourself from hyperbole to inflict unnecessary fear on parents to further your own agenda, you should refrain from participating in the argument entirely. People trust you for information and you have an ethical obligation to represent it fairly.

        - crunchymom September 18, 2008 8:18PM

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  • fedupwithitall
    A "witches brew" of possible causes and combinations

    1. Vaccinating before six months is a serious if not fatal error in judgement because an infant's liver does not begin to produce ample antibodies to create the intended immunity.

    2. There are over thirty "fire walls" of immunilogical protection built into the healthy human to render disease-causing agents less harmful. When the patholgoical and foreign materials such as what are present in current vaccines are injected directly into the blood stream via a syringe these protective "fire walls" are rendered useless thereby allowing the pathogens and adjuvents such as mercury, aluminum, barium, etc. to enter the body full potency.

    3. Vacccine producers include a lengthy list with each vial warning of possible side-effects and when the vaccine is contraindicated such as: child born of a difficult pregnancy, difficult birth, multiple births, low Apgar, lung problems, health problems, a family history of auto-immune disorders (such as arthritis in its 30+ forms)or any of dozens of other auto-immune associated diseases, a family history of allergy to eggs, feathers, metal allergies (gold, silver, aluminum, zinc, etc), and so forth.

    I have had seven children. Six had vaccine-related problems that are still in existance today. Two grandson are classic non-verbal low-function autistics and one has severe classification with rage issues; one grandson is ADHD at two. NOT ONCE did any doctor, nurse, or health offical every ask any of the above questions before sauntering up with the needle in hand.

    Is this disaster genetic? Not in the classic sense such as Tye-Sacks or Duchene MD. But I do believe we are seeing a cumulative effect of three generations of vaccination now bringing to fruition a "broken" generation and is there a sinister possible "plan"? The Nazi's began serious use of vaccination in the 1930's in conjunction with their "eugenics" plans. These same doctors were given amnesty and brought to the U.S. at WWII's end under "Operation: Paper Clip" and set up to continue their "research". Mass vaccination began in earnest during the forties escalating in numbers of shots and variety over the decades until today the insanity of giving newborns vaccinations has become the norm. Dr. Blaylock has said, "No better means of eugenics has been developed than vaccination."

    If you doubt a fine hand in this affair than look at the numbers of children who will never have families. Look at the families ruined financially and emotionally by the ravages of vaccination due to autism, learning disabilites, behavior problems, health ruined.

    Family physicians in rural areas have been raising alarms for years at the rising incidence of cancers in children never seen before. Numerous doctors that have cared for two and three and even four generations have been declaring on deaf ears their fears that many cancers now seen in children, toddlers, and infants have their suspected origins in the vaccines themselves for that is the ONLY commonality that has presented itself over thousands of cases spanning decades and widely varied living conditons.

    Is it just the mercury? Just the MMR? Just the aluminum? I don't honestly think so. After thirteen years of research and thousands upon thousands of pages of materials I do honestly believe we are looking right at a modern plague that is so finely crafted by evil people with multiple machinations that normal people can not - do not- want to believe such evil can exist.

    - fedupwithitall September 1, 2008 6:23PM

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Regarding Argument
The Bottom Line
- From NAA
Yes Side
By National Autism Association - Think Autism. Think Cure.

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  • camara
    the bottom line

    It seems to me that an unbiased study needs to be done. I have seen the vaccine damage with my own eyes. To say that the rate of Autism has not dropped with the removal of thimerosal from vaccines is sad. We all know how long the vaccines that had thimerosal already in dr.'s offices stayed and got used up. Has anyone asked this question? "Could it be the thimerosal, aluminum and toxic environment our world has become that is causing this epidemic? You cannot give mercury to children at the levels we have and not expect something to happen to them. You cannot live in a toxic environment and not expect something to happen to kids and you cannot give them aluminum and expect that nothing will happen to them. All three are going to effect more kids than not and they have!

    - camara July 24, 2008 11:18AM

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  • Ivar T
    Should not be priority

    The vaccine issue is something that has put a torn in the autism community for over a decade. The notion might not be fully 'disproved', but I certainly feel that the likes of NAA should move on to something more productive than propagating fringe theories.

    If this NAA representative is someone who is knowledgable about this issue and wish to present the issue appropriately, the representative should note that the mercury that has been in vaccines is not the more well-known and toxic form of mercury, known as methyl mercury. It is ethyl mercury which has very different properties than methyl mercury and is not as likely to do as much, if any, damage.

    The subjective perception of man is faulty, as someone who sketch I know this very well. Anecdotal evidence can be convincing for those who don't know any better, but can certainly be misleading aswell.

    - Ivar TNO November 7, 2008 6:54AM

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Regarding Argument
Research Supports Autism-Vaccine Link
- From SafeMinds
Yes Side
By SafeMinds - Autism Mercury Thimerosal

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  • Kev Leitch
    Where is the science?

    You quote a congressional report - which is not science and link through to an unpublished study which suffers from the following conflicts:
    1) Laura Hewitson is part of the Omnibus Autism class action
    2) Her husband works at Thoughtful House
    It also suffers from the fairly substantial issue that her paper - which is claimed to show a link between autism and vaccines - doesn't actually describe any symptoms of autism at all.
    "survival reflexes, tests of color discrimination and reversal, and learning sets. Differences in behaviors were observed between exposed and unexposed animals and within the exposed group before and after MMR vaccination. Compared with unexposed animals, exposed animals showed attenuation of amygdala growth and differences in the amygdala binding of [11C]diprenorphine. Interaction models identified significant associations between specific aberrant social and non-social behaviors, isotope binding, and vaccine exposure."
    How do you diagnose autism in a monkey?

    - Kev LeitchGB August 8, 2008 2:26AM

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  • Windy Stacey
    Seeing is believing

    I have a son who lost most of his skills after having 4 vaccines in one day and the next week having the flu shot. He is now recovering, thank God. It has been a very long 2 year battle and is still ongoing, but we have about 85% of our child back. I do have to say that I had no idea my son was given shots just hours after birth. It is terrible the amount of drugs that are given to our children before they are 2 years old. My son had 27 vaccines. We do feel there is also an environmental issue that has yet to be discovered, it would be wise to look at that closely too. I can only hope that there is a way to continue vaccines that are an absolute and get rid of the ones that are just for the benefit of the higher ups in the medical industry. There is a solution, it just has to be found. I hope I get to see it in my lifetime and especially in my son's.

    - Windy StaceyUS August 29, 2008 8:25PM

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  • itsnotgenetic
    Waiting a lifetime for science while the children still suffer !

    Where is the science ? where is the science ? where is the science ?
    If I had a dollar for everytime I have had heard that I would be a very wealthy woman , but if I had even 50 cents for the amount of times a parent has said there child regressed after vaccines then I would be a billionaire !!
    I do not know about all of you out there but I don't believe I will still be here in 50 years to see if science has finally proven the Autism - Vaccine link . Actually its a pretty safe bet to say we won't even see that in 100 years !
    Quite frankly I know I cannot sit and wait say even another 20 years and watch more and more arguing going on and wait for science to catch up all while my children suffer. CAN any of you ? Are you ok with this ? How many years should we wait - 20, 30 , 40 ?

    I mean just as long as science proves it right - comeon !

    Of all the thousands of parents over the years who report the same problems and the same common link ALL AROUND THE WORLD - don't you all think that bares a little more substance then university graduates who have only learned what they were told to learn in the first place?
    Yes thats right people - told what they are allowed to learn !

    - itsnotgenetic September 15, 2008 3:57AM

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    • tbcass
      That's the problem

      There are vastly more who have taken the vaccines who have no problems, enough to suggest that it's something else causing the Autism. As long as you concentrate on the dead end of Vaccine related Autism the real causes will remain undiscovered. The reason children regress after vaccines is that the normal age of Autism onslaught is about the same as the age vaccines are given, pure coincidence.

      - tbcassUS October 1, 2008 7:02AM

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  • tbcass
    Link has never been established.

    You site flaws in studies that say ther is no link but fail to realize that studies showing a link are purely anecdotal and are far more flawed. Is there a link? Until there is some kind of real scientific proof I have to lean to the side of No

    - tbcassUS October 1, 2008 6:57AM

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Regarding Argument
Government Agencies Put Vaccine Safety at Risk
- From SafeMinds
Yes Side
By SafeMinds - Autism Mercury Thimerosal

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Regarding Argument
Federal Government Compensates Victims of Vaccine Induced Autism
- From SafeMinds
Yes Side
By SafeMinds - Autism Mercury Thimerosal

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Regarding Objection
Incorrect, No Such Thing as Vaccine Induced Autism
- From Kev Leitch
No Side
By Kevin Leitch - Parent and Autism Activist

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  • EdR77203
    Anecdotal evidence

    I cannot say whether vaccines induce autism. I do know this. A large number of parents report the same thing, autism after vaccination. I understand that this is Post Hoc evidence, but there is an awful lot of it. While the medical community swears that it is not the vaccines, they have nothing to offer on what the cause actually is. In many cases it comes across like the medical community is denying the fact of autism after vaccination. It is patronizing and it does not work.

    - EdR77203US September 18, 2008 9:54PM

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Regarding Argument
Government Conceded That Vaccines Triggered Regression Into Autism
- From Dr Hirani
Yes Side
By Dr. Karima Hirani - MD MPH

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  • wallace12603
    The Government Isn't Always Right...

    Just because the government says that, it doesn't mean that it is true. I just think that the government cracked under the pressure of society for an answer regarding the Hanna Poling case. And as far as I'm concerned, mitochondrial dysfunction is a condition all its own, that has similar symptoms of autism. The big difference is, mitochondrial dysfunction can be cured, real autism can not.

    - wallace12603US July 31, 2008 1:05PM

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  • Kev Leitch
    No, they didn't.

    The US Gvmt have not said that vaccines triggered a regression into autism. If you believe this to be true, please could you provide a link to this statement.
    What I believe you will find is that HHS stated:
    "In sum, DVIC has concluded that the facts of this case meet the statutory criteria for demonstrating that the vaccinations CHILD received on July 19, 2000, significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder, which predisposed her to deficits in cellular energy metabolism, and manifested as a regressive encephalopathy with features of autism spectrum disorder."
    1) encephalopathy is not autism
    2) 'features of autism spectrum disorder' does not equate to 'diagnosis of autism'.
    It is clear that Ms Poling was vaccine injured. It is also clear that she is autistic. What is also clear from both this document and the Case Study is that her vaccines did not cause her autism.
    Please see: http://leftbrainrightbrain.co.uk/?p=1084

    - Kev LeitchGB August 8, 2008 2:18AM

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    • TruthBeautyGoodness
      That 1950s book about "lying with statistics"

      Ultimately, where the snake- oil industry lies with statistics, a new world order of mind control and market profiteering steal the day. Just make the statistics so complexly-evasive and so covered-up, that a normal person might even assume all is well. Well, until their child is utterly ruined and their family plans are ruined. Is this the world you want? Is it a new covert form of eugenics? A means to remove particular breeder-genes from humans?

      - TruthBeautyGoodnessUS September 5, 2009 3:16AM

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      • MrBook
        statistics

        “Just make the statistics so complexly-evasive and so covered-up, that a normal person might even assume all is well.”

        In what way are the statistics ‘complexly-evasive and so covered up’? They seem quite readable to me.

        “Is this the world you want? Is it a new covert form of eugenics? A means to remove particular breeder-genes from humans? “

        Do you have any evidence to support this? Or is this more ‘second gunman’ style conspiracy theorizing?

        - MrBookUS October 3, 2009 11:56PM

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        • TruthBeautyGoodness
          To Mr Brook

          Mr Brook:

          Granted, it is easy to dismiss persons who are outside the ivory towers. Perhaps that is final in it's self.

          "In what way are the statistics ‘complexly-evasive and so covered up’? They seem quite readable to me."

          The "Tower Of Babel" likewise is readable and yet it is indeed logical that readers are found on all sides of those issues. In this manner, i could agree with you sir.

          “Is this the world you want? Is it a new covert form of eugenics? A means to remove particular breeder-genes from humans? “

          Do you have any evidence to support this? Or is this more ‘second gunman’ style conspiracy theorizing?

          Evidence?-- I certainly have many remarkable leads available to study, with regard to that statement. Thanks to the internet ! Many of these leads have scholarly works supporting further, more comprehensive investigation. Do you collate and review all comprehensive evidence, sir? Do you sir, propose to dismiss similar-sounding, public interests?

          With thanks for your comment.

          - TruthBeautyGoodnessUS October 4, 2009 7:14AM

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          • MrBook
            evidence

            "Granted, it is easy to dismiss persons who are outside the ivory towers."

            Actually it is easy to dismiss persons who make claims but do not provide evidence to support their claims.

            "Evidence?-- I certainly have many remarkable leads available to study, with regard to that statement. Thanks to the internet ! Many of these leads have scholarly works supporting further, more comprehensive investigation. Do you collate and review all comprehensive evidence, sir? Do you sir, propose to dismiss similar-sounding, public interests?"

            Then cite so I can review and we can discuss.

            - MrBookUS October 4, 2009 10:42AM

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Regarding Objection
No, They Didn't
- From Kev Leitch
No Side
By Kevin Leitch - Parent and Autism Activist

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  • bensmyson
    What comes first, the chicken or the egg?

    the parents of yet another child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were awarded a lump sum of more than $810,000 (plus an estimated $30-40,000 per year for autism services and care) in compensation by the Court, which ruled that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine had caused acute brain damage that led to his autism spectrum disorder.

    In his conclusion, Special Master Abell ruled that Petitioners had proven that the MMR had directly caused a brain inflammation illness called acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) which, in turn, had caused the autism spectrum disorder PDD-NOS in the child.

    And then there is this, the U.S. government awarded compensation to a Georgia family, the Polings, who had sued the government (along with 5,000 other families whose children have autism), claiming vaccines had caused autism in their now 9-year-old daughter, Hannah. As the decision made headlines, antivaccine groups claimed victory and vindication, and parents fretted over whether to vaccinate their children.

    Check out the governmental vaccine injury reporting site to learn exactly what harm vaccines are causing children.

    http://vaers.hhs.gov/info.htm

    No vaccine offers a guaranteed immunity against any viral infection. In fact the only guaranteed immunity is that of the big pharmcoes making the vaccines. A victim may not sue a vaccine manufacturer directly, the suit goes through "vaccine court" and the judgments come from a seventy-five cents tax on every vaccine sold, none of the money comes from the manufacturer or taxpayers.

    As of January, 2009, 12,850 cases have been filed with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) , 5,535 representing autism cases. Of the total, 6,979 have been adjudicated, with 2,260 being compensated. Claims arising from vaccinations given prior to October 1, 1988, were paid from general appropriations. Over 939 million dollars has been paid in compensation from the trust fund for the post- 1988 cases, including attorneys’ fees and costs. There is currently nearly 3 billion dollars in the trust fund. There is a wide range of awards depending on the severity of injury, with the highest award currently being $9.1 million in present dollars.

    2008 there were 144 awards totaling $83,743,524.93 (avg. over a half million dollars per award)

    I'm not a doctor, I just know what happened to my son Ben.

    http://bensmyson.wordpress.com

    - bensmysonUS March 5, 2009 8:41PM

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  • Dad Fourkids
    You say to-MAH-to and I say to-MAY-to

    To suggest that Hannah Poling did not have autism is an outright falsehood. She was duly diagnosed by professionals in the field and it was only later when her father, a well-respected neurologists pushed for more intensive testing that her encephelopathy and mitochondrial dysfunction came to light. To suggest that professionals like Dr. and Mrs. Poling, who had ready access to centers like John Hopkins would somehow go to some hack who could not correctly diagnose their daughter is laughable.

    The list of symptoms you mention are not necessarily the symptoms she displayed when she got her autism diagnosis. They are the symptoms that Poling's team presented during the course of their initial hearing which supported their claim for compensation under NVICP. Since the rules of engagemtn there are relatively strict compared to other arenas for tort, it is important to present the case using previously accepted terms. Otherwise you risk an outright dismissal.

    What is probably the most significant aspect of the Poling case is not that Hannah regressed after her vaccinations, or even that her autistic characteristics were determined to be the result of her vaccine injury. The most significant thing is that Hannah's case was to be the first test case for this new area of claim (autism caused by vaccination) and DHHS recognized that as such it would set a very unpleasant precedent for them. This is why the quietly conceded so quickly, and why so many people whose careers are vested in continuing and expaning the vaccination program were so incensed when Dr. Poling chose to go public with the deatils.

    - Dad Fourkids March 26, 2009 1:55PM

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