Vaccine case draws new attention to autism debate

[RiverRat]

http://www.evidenceofharm.com/

Journalist David Kirby explores the chilling possibility that a vaccine additive may be fueling an apparent epidemic of autism, ADD, speech delay and other disorders in America’s children.

In the 1990’s, reported autism cases among American children began spiking, from about 1 in 10,000 in 1987 to a shocking 1 in 166 today. In this period, new shots containing a mercury-based preservative called Thimerosal were added to the nation’s already crowded vaccination schedule. At the same time, some parents noticed that their healthy children were descending into silent, disturbed, and physically ill behavior after receiving vaccinations. In 1999, the FDA announced that children were being exposed to mercury at very young ages at levels far exceeding federal regulations, but the public health establishment failed to take parental concerns about the impact seriously.

Evidence of Harm explores both sides of this controversy, which has pitted families and their allies against the federal government, public health agencies, and powerful pharmaceutical giants. It examines:

Story of Thimerosal: a mercury-based additive approved by the FDA in the 1930’s as a vaccine preservative and never subsequently tested by the Agency

Increase in reported autism cases and apparent parallel to the increase in number and frequency of Thimerosal-containing vaccinations

Private meeting at which FDA, CDC, medical and pharmaceutical company representatives discussed data on neurological childhood disorders related to mercury in vaccines

Mysterious rider to the 2002 Homeland Security bill which would free drug companies of liability in lawsuits regarding Thimerosal

State and federal lawsuits filed by families against the drug makers seeking compensation for the lifelong care of their ill children

New biological research indicating a link between Thimerosal exposure and neurological disorders

This disturbing, important book examines both the personal stories of families and the unfolding political drama in the courts and halls of Congress.

DAVID KIRBY has been a professional journalist for 15 years. He has contributed to The New York Times and several national magazines, writing about many subjects including health, technology and politics. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

 

[CyberLaw]

Again, where is the PROOF, where are the conclusive studies, the documented research, the experiments. The scientific proof.

All is not well when people say: Well vaccinations cause autism, learning disabilities, asthma etc. Because they are just "myths" with no resulting proof. When it it widely accepted in the medical community and courts that autism is caused by vaccinations, I will stand corrected. Widespread acceptance is one of the standards needed to enter scientific evidence in court.

I can say: I think the sun is going to crash to the earth on Sunday, I can go on TV, give interviews, put "my findings" on the internet, write books, have newspaper article published, have like minded people by my side, my supporters. But when asked about the proof, well, there is none "I just know", because what I know is what I believe.

BTW, oldest came home yesterday from School. Mom, there is a kid in our school who has WHOPPING COUGH. Yes, I know that IMMUNITY does wear off in adults and teens. Therefore, the two adults and one teen in our house are going off to our Doctors and receive the vaccination for Whopping Cough.

I saw a video of a child with whopping cough. I was stunned. The agony that the child was going through was "enough" to want to break my heart and then some. I literally cried over the keyboard.

I for one, do not want our kids to go through that. I for one do not want to be responsible for spreading disease. I for one, have enough care and consideration for our fellow humans on this earth to protect myself and our family, therefore ensuring that my son's friends and our family friends, co-workers, associates, employees, people in public do not catch "diseases" from our family that can harm them and their families.

So, until I see, hear read, conclusive proof, not suggestion, rumor, gossip, speculation, maybe, could be, might be, that there is a "direct" causation of medical problems from widespread use of vaccination, I am going to be "a responsible" parents to my kids and have them protected.

BTW, oldest has a learning disability. When I looked into my hubby's side of the family, there was clear proof that several members from different generations have a learning disability. So no, I am not going to "try" and blame the big, bad companies for that one too. You would need to identify which gene is in play with autism and then "have an entire" genetic marker make up done, to identify if the gene responsible for autism exists anywhere in the family tree. So to say" Well no one in my "family" has autism, what about your Great, great, great grandmother. Autism would not have been "recognized" as such way back when.

I saw a family history for BAC. It went back many generations. You can see if and how this gene affected several generations, without any one knowing about the gene for Breast Cancer. All the family knew is that several women died early from Breast Cancer.

Some people unfortunately got the gene, and others did not.

The simple fact that autism affect one gender(males) other then `females` is very telling that genes `must play a part` if not, there would equal number of boys and girls affected by autism. Just like only the females, not the males inherited the BAC gene which lead to breast cancer at an early age.

I read yesterday that a bacteria or virus that is present at birth may be one of the causes for autism. People have seen some results when they have changed their child's diet, some others have not.

Even brain scans of autism "children" show that there are abnormal centers of the brain. These differences in the brain, are not caused by `vaccination` but at birth. A study of 30K children in Japan and the MMR showed no conclusion of MMR and Autism.

I err on the side of caution.........when it comes to protecting my family, not speculation.

I am not going to `roll the dice`and hope and pray that `my children`don`t come into contact with someone with deadly diseases. We take care of our health, we do not and will not `depend`on anyone `not to infect us`.

I understand that having a child with autism is very, very difficult. But parents are not to blame for the choice they made to vaccinate their child, the drug companies are not to blame. Other unknown and non preventable causations are. Genes are beyond the control of anyone.

 

[RiverRat]

What don't you get?! It is not the vacinations - it is the preservative!!!

 

[Kim Ii]

Cyber,

You really do need to do your research, that is, if you are at all interested in finding out the truth about vaccine safety issues.

There ARE studies that have been done. You can find the studies in legal libraries, public libraries, medical libraries, on the Internet and through the Freedom of Information Act.

Good luck to you.

 

[CyberLaw]

River Rat:

I used logic skills. You see logic prevails. Mercury has been removed from vaccinations. So the rate of autism has not declined. Actually the identification of children with autism has risen. Therefore it must be vaccinations, because kids still receive vaccinations, but not the mercury.

A big thank you from Canada for making my point. Mercury and or vaccinations have no bearing on autism.

Since 2001, with the exception of some influenza (flu) vaccines, thimerosal is not used as a preservative in routinely recommended childhood vaccines.

These are called facts. Not myths, half truths, beliefs.

www.aafp.org - American Academy of Family Physicians.
Study: Autism Prevalence Still Up After Thimerosal Removed From Vaccines

New Genetic Link Found

By News Staff
1/16/2008


A study in the January 2008 Archives of General Psychiatry does not support the hypothesis that childhood exposure to thimerosal-containing vaccines, or TCVs, is linked to autism.

Thimerosal is a preservative that contains ethylmercury. Vaccines were the main source of thimerosal exposure among young children in the United States before the preservative's removal from vaccines in recent years.
After analyzing autism client data from the California Department of Developmental Services, or DDS, the researchers concluded that the data "do not show any recent decrease in autism in California despite the exclusion of more than trace levels of thimerosal from nearly all childhood vaccines."

The researchers found that the prevalence of autism reported to the DDS actually has increased consistently among children born from 1989 through 2003, which includes the period when exposure to TCVs decreased.

"The new study is significant because it relies on the same database that has been "systematically used by proponents of the thimerosal hypothesis," says a commentary in the same issue by autism expert Eric Fombonne, M.D., director of the department of psychiatry at Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre.

The data analyzed in the new study "provide a clear and unambiguous test that shows that the expected decline in autism rates following discontinuation of thimerosal in U.S. vaccines did not occur," said Fombonne.

Fombonne writes. "How many more negative study results are required for the belief to go away, and how much more spending of public funds on this issue could even be justified?"

It really irks me when people put belief over science and fact. Because the `belief`that mercury causes autism is just that.....a belief with no basis in `fact and evidence`.

 

[JBean]

Dr Bob is a local pediatrician here in SoCal. he is very well respected on the topic of vaccinations and in addition to his blog he has written a good book.
Here is some info:


The AAP released a statement today to address the recent controversy on vaccines and autism. It began with a discussion on what autism is and what the theoretical causes may be, along with reassurance that there is no evidence of any connection between vaccines and autism. The policy went on to explain what mitochondrial disease is and how this may have played a role in the Hannah Polling case (see my previous blog – Larry King Asks). It concluded with a discussion on the overall safety and benefits of vaccines and urged parents to continue to vaccinate as usual.

I must admit that I agree with almost everything in this statement. The explanations it offers and the examples of how successful some vaccines have been is all accurate. However, I think there is just one little issue that should be raised to balance it all out. That is the fact that there IS SOME research that shows vaccines have some very rare but potentially serious side effects. And there is a bit of research that shows there may be a link between autism and vaccines in some children, as the Hannah Polling case reflects. Of course, the vast majority of research does NOT show a link, and this court case does not prove any link overall.

It is my belief that parents should be completely educated about vaccines, how they are made, what the possible side effects are, what the benefits are, and how common (or rare) and how serious (or mild) the diseases can be. Yes, vaccines are overall safe in most children, and the diseases can be very serious. And parents can make an educated decision about what they feel is the right course of action for their family. Parents who are worried about possible side effects and wish to vaccinate in a manner that may decrease the possibility of reactions should discuss an alternative vaccine approach with their doctor.
There is more good information at this link

Link to Dr Sears Vaccine Book

Sears Family of Doctors home page

 

[RiverRat]

River Rat:

I used logic skills. You see logic prevails. Mercury has been removed from vaccinations. So the rate of autism has not declined. Actually the identification of children with autism has risen. Therefore it must be vaccinations, because kids still receive vaccinations, but not the mercury.

A big thank you from Canada for making my point. Mercury and or vaccinations have no bearing on autism.

Since 2001, with the exception of some influenza (flu) vaccines, thimerosal is not used as a preservative in routinely recommended childhood vaccines.

These are called facts. Not myths, half truths, beliefs.

www.aafp.org - American Academy of Family Physicians.
Study: Autism Prevalence Still Up After Thimerosal Removed From Vaccines

New Genetic Link Found

By News Staff
1/16/2008


A study in the January 2008 Archives of General Psychiatry does not support the hypothesis that childhood exposure to thimerosal-containing vaccines, or TCVs, is linked to autism.

Thimerosal is a preservative that contains ethylmercury. Vaccines were the main source of thimerosal exposure among young children in the United States before the preservative's removal from vaccines in recent years.
After analyzing autism client data from the California Department of Developmental Services, or DDS, the researchers concluded that the data "do not show any recent decrease in autism in California despite the exclusion of more than trace levels of thimerosal from nearly all childhood vaccines."

The researchers found that the prevalence of autism reported to the DDS actually has increased consistently among children born from 1989 through 2003, which includes the period when exposure to TCVs decreased.

"The new study is significant because it relies on the same database that has been "systematically used by proponents of the thimerosal hypothesis," says a commentary in the same issue by autism expert Eric Fombonne, M.D., director of the department of psychiatry at Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre.

The data analyzed in the new study "provide a clear and unambiguous test that shows that the expected decline in autism rates following discontinuation of thimerosal in U.S. vaccines did not occur," said Fombonne.

Fombonne writes. "How many more negative study results are required for the belief to go away, and how much more spending of public funds on this issue could even be justified?"

It really irks me when people put belief over science and fact. Because the `belief`that mercury causes autism is just that.....a belief with no basis in `fact and evidence`.

I never said that mercury was the direct cause. It is my belief that it is a contributing factor along with genetics, enviromental, and luck of the draw. You may feel comfortable injecting mercury - that is your choice. Just Back Off My Decision to pass as it Really Irks Me when plain old commen sense is left out of the thinking process just as much as it Really Irks Me when there is a lack of compassion for victims irregardless of how they became that way.

 

[Truly]

CyberLaw, I do respect your opinion and I appreciate your informed comments, but you must understand that the linkage of mercury to autism did not originate in the esteemed medical journals. The causation slowly emerged as parents, one by one, watched in horror as their healthy and alert children dissolved before their eyes. (Can you please imagine your own reaction if your own child suddenly stopped looking into your eyes? Wouldn't you want to know why?)

The common denominator seemed to be that the drastic shift occurred immediately after the child received his vaccinations. A parent would say, " I don't understand. The doctor saw him just the day before for his checkup and shots. He was perfectly fine, and the very next day, he was gone."

I trust the parents who have watched their own healthy child withdraw into the silence of autism far more than I trust the vaccine manufacturing companies. The parents want real answers. Big Pharma wants to sell drugs.

May I ask one more thing which I have never understood in this debate? Why are parents who vaccinate afraid of parents who don't? If you believe that the vaccine protects your child from contracting the disease, why would an unvaccinated child pose any danger to your child?

I did not know that mercury was in fact taken out of vaccines in 2001. Was that done because a correlation to autism was identified? Thanks.

 

[JBean]

May I ask one more thing which I have never understood in this debate? Why are parents who vaccinate afraid of parents who don't? If you believe that the vaccine protects your child from contracting the disease, why would an unvaccinated child pose any danger to your child?

The irony is it is the vaccinated children that provide the herd protection for the unvaccinated children. As long as a larger part of the population gets vaccinated most of these diseases are eradicated. But if groups start to skip vaccines it will provide more hosts to spread the disease and could cause a resurgence of childhood diseases.
Vaccinated people are concerned because:
1. No vaccine is 100% effective leaving them at risk in the event of an outbreak.
2. Some children have not reached an age to be vaccinated yet which puts them at risk.
3. Older vaccines have run their course and are expired. thats is we are seeing measles outbreaks in colleges and outbreaks of pertussis.

 

[Truly]

The irony is it is the vaccinated children that provide the herd protection for the unvaccinated children. As long as a larger part of the population gets vaccinated most of these diseases are eradicated. But if groups start to skip vaccines it will provide more hosts to spread the disease and could cause a resurgence of childhood diseases.
Vaccinated people are concerned because:
1. No vaccine is 100% effective leaving them at risk in the event of an outbreak.
2. Some children have not reached an age to be vaccinated yet which puts them at risk.
3. Older vaccines have run their course and are expired. thats is we are seeing measles outbreaks in colleges and outbreaks of pertussis.

Thank you, JBean. I always have a great deal of respect for your comments also.

I know the dangers of the actual diseases. If you contract the disease, it well may kill you. But I must respect the parents who have witnessed first-hand the onset of autism after vaccinations. This thread references the first time that the concerns of so many parents regarding mercury in vaccines have been validated.

Raising a child who withdrew into autism after vaccinations is a very difficult endeavor. Parents who are not dealing with this might please consider that their skepticism comes across as the utmost arrogance (if not outright hostility) towards parents who are really giving 100% 24/7. I ask that we listen to the parents who have had this experience. With respect and concern and love.

 

[JBean]

Thank you, JBean. I always have a great deal of respect for your comments also.

I know the dangers of the actual diseases. If you contract the disease, it well may kill you. But I must respect the parents who have witnessed first-hand the onset of autism after vaccinations. This thread references the first time that the concerns of so many parents regarding mercury in vaccines have been validated.

Raising a child who withdrew into autism after vaccinations is a very difficult endeavor. Parents who are not dealing with this might please consider that their skepticism comes across as the utmost arrogance (if not outright hostility) towards parents who are really giving 100% 24/7. I ask that we listen to the parents who have had this experience. With respect and concern and love.

Thank you Truly. I appreciate all your input.
As the mother of a child that became epileptic at just under 2 years of age for no apparent reason, I do understand to a degree. I made my own informed decisions about his course of treatment and had to go through many doctors to find one that would support my radical ideas. But I found one and was able to follow my heart and what I thought to be the best course for my own son. I do appreciate where many parents that choose not to vaccinate are coming from.
but with that said, I hate to think that my pro vaccine choice and my personal skepticism should be perceived as arrogance. I have done my homework and I am pro vaccine.
Also, IMO, I don't necessarily think this ruling does validate what is argued here in general. JMHO of course.

 

[Truly]

Oh no, Jbean, you are not arrogant! :blowkiss:

I was thinking more of friends I know who have been pretty much attacked by random strangers regarding vaccinations. I recall ordering lunch at an outdoor cafe with a child who was completely non-communicative, but who was very certain to refuse to eat any food which was green, orange...anything except non-nutrient white. Meanwhile, his mom was dealing with some rude and belligerant ignoramus demanding answers about her son when this guy had no idea what she lived with every day and night. Fortunately, she has a great sense of humor!

p.s. You are right, this ruling only scratches the surface of parents' concerns. It is the first time the concerns about mercury have been even recognized as far as I am aware.

 

[CyberLaw]

Please tell your friends, to tell the "horrible" people to "butt out" and ignore them. Just pretend that the person does not exist. Their main focus is their child and only their child. The best interest of the child prevails, not some "stranger" who feel he/she has to put their two sense in.

So the simple fact is: Do I know you, the answer is No. Then you are a stranger to our family, so "buzz off". You can insert any word here, but of course I can't post what I really want to say.

I have the utmost, and I mean the utmost respect for parents with children with autism. Tell you the truth, I really don't feel that I could raise a child with autism and I feel that parents who do deserve understanding and respect.:clap:

 

[bigbuck]

Sadly if the autism epidemic is allowed to continue unchecked. In the not so distant future every family will have a child, grandchild, or great grandchild that is on the spectrum.

The facts may not support my feelings but, I have a hard time buying into studies. That are funded and or run by scientists and doctors who's very livelyhood depends on the big drug companies. As for the goverment aren't they the same people who defended agent orange?? Or put soliders downwind of above ground nuclear explosions and told them it was safe? I do not swear by everything they say either.

My wife is an RN and she never believed there was a connection to vaccinations untill it happened to our child. You'd be surprised how many of her peers are also now thinking twice about it.

 

[Linda7NJ]

I had my sons spread out and I refused to get him the Hep Vaccines as well as the one for chicken pox.

He's a child and not out having unprotected sex with hookers or shooting drugs...and well the chicken pox one, he got this year at age 10 because he never did get them and I fear sterility if he gets pox during puberty.

 

[bigbuck]

Here's the latest from David Kirby. I hope ths CDC is really listening!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/the-next-big-autism-bomb_b_93627.html

 

[iNTERESTEDWOMAN]

Here's the latest from David Kirby. I hope ths CDC is really listening!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/the-next-big-autism-bomb_b_93627.html

WOW, that's prettying damning, isn't it? It all is so perfectly clear. Thanks for the link. I hadn't read this report by David Kirby yet.

One of Mr. Kirby's first reports was his research on the non-vaccinated population, the Amish to be specific. When it was impossible to produce one born Amish child with autism, that woke up many of my pro-vaccine friends. I say born Amish, because there are a few autistic Amish children, but only ones that where adopted after they had been immunized. Its a no brainer. That evidence alone says it all IMHO.

 

[Kim Ii]

Big Buck,

THANK you so much for posting that David Kirby/Huffington blog link. I have printed out Kirby's blog and am sending it to everyone I know that will be interested in the turn out of this case.

Here is a link re: vaccine damage victims and their stories. The woman who runs this website is a friend of mine. The first story (with pic) is of our son, Ryan (approx. 7 at the time pic was taken -- he is now almost 15), and what happened to him during the time he suffered his vaccine reactions. Fortunately for us, we have had a happy ending, albeit the never ending learning disorder issues, but at least Ryan is HERE.

The other infants were not so lucky. There are so many of them, and these are just the ones who have parents who realize what happened.



Here's the link: http://www.vaccinetruth.org/6_out_of_10,000.htm

 

[Kim Ii]

http://www.jabs.org.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1251

HERE IS A SNIP:

US Government Concedes Vaccines Cause Autism



Press Release Contacts:

For Immediate Release CoMeD President [Rev. Lisa K. Sykes (Richmond, VA) 804-364-8426]

February 26, 2008 CoMeD Sci. Advisor [Dr. King (Lake Hiawatha, NJ) 973-263-4843]

"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:

"1. 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)."

"2. 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."

:clap: :furious: I am so angry and yet, feel vindicated at the same time! THEY FINALLY ADMITTED IT!

I wondered if this sort of admission would ever occur during my own lifetime. I am happy to state, that it has. MUCH MORE needs to happen, though. What about the thousands of others (if not more) who have been harmed by by vaccines and our vaccine mandates? What is going to happen to all these kids who need 24/7 care? Who going to take care of these children when their parents and/or caregivers are no longer around, and/or are no longer able to take care of them?

Biomedical institutions need to be set up around the country to help these kids. (One prominent researcher/physician recommended this years ago).

People need to stay on top of this story -- I hope those families who have been impacted by autism and other like disorders, stay vigilant and ensure that these medical researchers, etc., don't let the ball drop on this one.

 

[Kim Ii]

Here's that link to the JABS article above...forgot to place it in there...

http://www.jabs.org.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1251