Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Vaccines cause autism: Supporting evidence

NaturalNews -

Rates of autism have skyrocketed 1000% since 1990, yet defenders of vaccines and the pharmaceutical industry keep scratching their heads in confusion: What could be causing this? Lots of clues point to vaccines as one of the primary contributing factors to increased rates of autism.

In this article, we present supporting quotes from some of the industry's top authors who write about the possible links between autism and vaccines. Enjoy this collection of research.

Autism and vaccines

There is also a strong connection between all forms of vaccinations and autism. A U.S. study found that children who received vaccines containing a preservative called thimerosal, which is almost 50 percent mercury, were more than twice as likely to develop autism than children who did not. Although mercury has been removed from regular childhood vaccines due to growing safety worries, it is still present in other vaccines children might get.
- Toxic Overload: A Doctor's Plan for Combating the Illnesses Caused by Chemicals in Our Foods, Our Homes, and Our Medicine Cabinets by Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton

Every year more and more children are being diagnosed with learning disabilities and autism. What is the cause? According to many experts, including Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council and author of Deadly Immunity, our government is to blame. There's growing evidence that shows that a drug called thimerosal is to blame. This drug is found in vaccines. The fact is the more vaccines kids get, the more autism, learning disabilities, and lifelong illness develops. The drug thimerosal is a preservative that was put in vaccines back in the 1930s.
- More Natural Cures Revealed: Previously Censored Brand Name Products That Cure Disease by Kevin Trudeau

Autism is a catastrophic epidemic with an increase of 1,500% in the UK in the last decade. In California one in 150 children is autistic - a 54% increase in just 2001/2! The primary causes of autism known to come from vaccines, maternal overexposure to heavy metals and antibiotics, heavy metals from industry pollution of the air and water, and the chemicals used in the electronics industry. Significantly, the first cases of autism were described in the US shortly after the vaccines for whooping cough were introduced in the 1940s.
- Dispatches From the War Zone of Environmental Health by Helke Ferrie

Could the number of vaccines now recommended actually be contributing to the rise in children's chronic diseases like asthma, allergies, autism, autoimmune disease, diabetes, obesity, some cancers, and the growing epidemic of developmental disorders? Remember, in just twenty-four years, we've gone from fewer than ten vaccines to fifty vaccines, and there are more on the way. As the childhood health crisis worsens, more and more parents, and physicians, are starting to question the effect these vaccines might be having on our children's developing immune systems.
- Growing Up Green: Baby and Child Care: Volume 2 in the Bestselling Green This! Series (Green This!) by Deirdre Imus

Mercury toxicity is a suspected cause of a steep rise - a tenfold increase between 1984 and 1994 - in diagnosed cases of autism in children around the world, according to some scientists. Specifically, the culprit is thimerosal, a mercury-based compound used as a preservative in vaccines commonly administered to babies and infants. Thimerosal-free vaccines are available. If you have a child who will be receiving vaccinations, ask for and make sure thimerosal-free vaccines are used.
- Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

The first reported case of autism occurred after thimerosal, a preservative for immunizations, was added to vaccines. Since then, the incidence of autism has increased at an alarming rate. Thimerosal is not a necessary additive and is toxic to the human body, yet it has been used for years. And although thimerosal has been phased out of childhood vaccines, the vast majority of flu shots given to children and adults still contain it, and it is believed that many pediatricians are still using unexpired vials of thimerosal-containing vaccines.
- Super Health 7 Golden Keys to Unlock Lifelong Vitality by KC Craichy

Is it mere coincidence that rates of autism increased when the Center for Disease Control inserted additions to the recommended vaccination program for infants in 1988? In the 1980s, autism rates were estimated at only six in 10,000 children. Today one in 150 children is autistic, though in some areas autism affects closer to one in 50 children. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged that thimerosal can be a neurotoxin (knowing very well that mercury is a neurotoxin), and in 2004 stated that thimerosal-containing vaccines were associated with autism.
- Timeless Secrets of Health & Rejuvenation: Unleash The Natural Healing Power That Lies Dormant Within You by Andreas Moritz

Nonetheless there continues to be lively debate about environmental roots of autism, which may have nothing to do with genetics. When California researchers, for example, studied the association between autism and environmental pollution in the San Francisco Bay area, they discovered a potential connection between ambient metal concentrations, and possibly chlorinated solvents, and an increased risk for autism. A lot of controversy has also emerged concerning the mercury preservative called thimerosol used in vaccines, as some believe it can cause autism.
- The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps by Brenda Watson and Leonard Smith

The mercury in the vaccines causes autism, brain damage, and disease. The vaccines themselves cause the body to be in an unnatural state and set you up for major disease. In the Natural Cures book I give you several other books that I recommend to discuss vaccines. They are: A Shot in the Dark, by Harris L. Coulter and Barbara Loe Fisher; Vaccines: Are They Really Safe & Effective?, by Neil Z. Miller; and What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations, by Stephanie Cave, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., with Deborah Mitchell.
- More Natural Cures Revealed: Previously Censored Brand Name Products That Cure Disease by Kevin Trudeau

New evidence is constantly being uncovered and autism rates continue to rise. In October 2004, US pediatrician Dr F. Edward Yazbak provided another interpretation of the large overseas studies on which the vaccines' safety profile was based. He said the definitive Danish study of more than 500,000 children born between 1991 and 1998 could not rule out a link between MMR and autism because many children went on to get autism after the trial had been concluded. 'The most important age group to look at comprises children aged from five to nine,' he said. 'The number with autism increased from 8.
- Big Pharma: Exposing the Global Healthcare Agenda by Jacky Law

The connection between vaccinations and autism may be mercury poisoning. Thimerosal, a preservative used in many vaccines, contains about 50% mercury. The increases in the occurrence of autism are closely linked to the widespread use of thimerosal-containing vaccines. Mercury is well-documented as a cause of nervous system deterioration, decline in mental function, and learning problems. Certain symptoms of mercury poisoning are similar to autism, particularly defects in coordination and motor skills, visual disturbances, and immune suppression.
- Alternative Medicine the Definitive Guide, Second Edition by Larry Trivieri, Jr.

Increased research dollars are spent on developing new vaccines, but little has been done to investigate the possible connection between vaccines and developmental problems (as in the possible connection between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism). The possible side effects of immunization, including rashes, fever, diarrhea, autism, and even death, have been considered to be minimal when compared to the benefits.
- Alternative Medicine the Definitive Guide, Second Edition by Larry Trivieri, Jr.

It was determined that there was a close correlation between mercury doses from thimerosal - containing childhood vaccines and the prevalence of autism from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s. In contrast, there was a potential correlation between the number of primary pediatric measles-containing vaccines administered and the prevalence of autism during the 1980s.
- The Food-Mood Connection: Nutrition-based and Environmental Approaches to Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing by Gary Null and Amy McDonald

Orthodox medical opinion claims autism is caused by genetic defect, but many people have been looking at the possibility that vaccines are at the root of autism. Specifically, the concern centers around thimerosol, a mercury-based preservative that was used in several childhood vaccines until 1999, at which time thimerosol was removed or greatly reduced. An estimated 80 percent of children show significant improvement after detoxification of poisonous heavy metals from their system.
- The Food-Mood Connection: Nutrition-based and Environmental Approaches to Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing by Gary Null and Amy McDonald

In 2000, the US Congress passed the Children's Health Act, mandating its main research agency, the National Institutes of Health, to fund five centres of excellence into autism research. 'Here was an unprecedented political commitment to expand, intensify, and coordinate research into autism and services for children living with autism,' says Richard Horton, in his book MMR: Science and Fiction - Exploring a Vaccine Crisis. Or the government could have anticipated a steep rise in demand for individual vaccines, particularly against mumps.
- Big Pharma: Exposing the Global Healthcare Agenda by Jacky Law

In conclusion, it seems that a number of chemical factors play a role in triggering the onset of autism. In the case of MMR-triggered autism, the virus in this vaccine could be the final straw, triggering autism in a child who has already been damaged by previous exposure to chemicals from vaccines and the environment. Major improvements can be made. They center around a detox program, a good rounded supplement program, and a diet low in gluten and dairy foods.
- Toxic Overload: A Doctor's Plan for Combating the Illnesses Caused by Chemicals in Our Foods, Our Homes, and Our Medicine Cabinets by Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton

Since the 1990s, there has been a tenfold or 1000-percent increase in autism, an increase which has been linked by some researchers to the organic mercury preservative commonly found in baby vaccines. A greatly increased incidence of juvenile diabetes has been correlated to specific vaccination sequences and to the number of vaccines given.
- The Natural Way to Heal: 65 Ways to Create Superior Health by Walter Last

We must ask: why were faulty tires quickly recalled when they were dangerous while infant vaccines are not when there are so many claims they appear to cause autism and brain damage? If they are safe, use them. If they are not, stop using them. And if there is serious doubt about their safety, err on the side of caution. We should not allow the present autism epidemic to continue. The bottom line is: Decisions by federal or state agencies for either vaccines or the use of drugs such as Ritalin® should be recommended and suggested but not compulsory or mandatory.
- Our Toxic World: A Wake Up Call by Doris J. Rapp, M.D.

The use of the mercury-based thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines has been associated with autism. Despite the evidence, mercury is still being added to vaccines at completely unsafe levels considering the fact that it is a known neurotoxin. A recent study conducted by the University of Calgary showed that mercury ions alter the cell-membrane of developing neurons in babies and young children, directly contributing to autism.
- Timeless Secrets of Health & Rejuvenation: Unleash The Natural Healing Power That Lies Dormant Within You by Andreas Moritz

Studies have shown that the poisons in vaccinations are a major cause of learning disabilities, autism and mental retardation in children. Evidence of Harm: Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic: A Medical Controversy by David Kirby is one of several books exposing this danger. The drug companies even lobbied to get a rider attached to the Homeland Security Bill that prevents people from suing them for the damage done by vaccinations!
- The Live Food Factor: The Comprehensive Guide to the Ultimate Diet for Body, Mind, Spirit & Planet by Susan E. Schenck

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for pulling together these sources. Unfortunately, you're not backing up your opinion with evidence, only assertion. What is most disingenuous is the number of quotes you've cited that don't provide anything like evidence, but simple reassertions of your original claim by someone else. Did you think that the sheer number of quotes would preclude detailed assessment of them and make people think what you said must be true? Each of these quotes is lacking as a piece of _evidence_ for a causal link between autism and vaccines:

    1) "There is also a strong connection between all forms of vaccinations and autism. A U.S. study found that children who received vaccines containing a preservative called thimerosal, which is almost 50 percent mercury, were more than twice as likely to develop autism than children who did not." -

    Which US study? According to the Institute of Medicine's review of 200 independent epidemiological studies: "Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism finds that the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. The book further finds that potential biological mechanisms for vaccine-induced autism that have been generated to date are only theoretical."

    If you are happy to quote 1 study, then you should be happy to accept data from 200 studies.

    2) "There's growing evidence that shows that a drug called thimerosal is to blame. This drug is found in vaccines. The fact is the more vaccines kids get, the more autism, learning disabilities, and lifelong illness develops. "

    Again, this is in direct contradiction to the 200 papers' worth of evidence that vaccines do not promote autism summarised by the IOM.

    3) "The primary causes of autism known to come from vaccines, maternal overexposure to heavy metals and antibiotics, heavy metals from industry pollution of the air and water, and the chemicals used in the electronics industry."

    This is the worst form of argument. It simply asserts a statement with zero evidence. Those of us in the autism field are quite agnostic as to the causes of autism, beyond the small percentage known to be associated directly with genetic abnormalities. To simply state this as a fact, with zero supporting evidence is absurd. You can't provide this link as evidence when it merely reasserts what you stated. This is poor debating technique.

    4) "Could the number of vaccines now recommended actually be contributing to the rise in children's chronic diseases like asthma, allergies, autism, autoimmune disease, diabetes, obesity, some cancers, and the growing epidemic of developmental disorders?"

    How is this _evidence_ of anything? It is not even stated as fact, but directly as conjecture. Please don't bury this in a parade of 18 links that you hoped no-one would read and try to pass it off as evidence.

    5) "Mercury toxicity is a suspected cause of a steep rise - a tenfold increase between 1984 and 1994 - in diagnosed cases of autism in children around the world, according to some scientists" - OK, then show me the evidence? Suspicion is not Cause.

    6) "The first reported case of autism occurred after thimerosal, a preservative for immunizations, was added to vaccines." OK, but the first reported case of autism also occurred after the development of peniccillin, the movie screen, and baking soda. Do we suspect any of these agents in causing autism? No, because temporal contiguity does not imply causation.

    7) "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged that thimerosal can be a neurotoxin (knowing very well that mercury is a neurotoxin), and in 2004 stated that thimerosal-containing vaccines were associated with autism."

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  2. 7) "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has acknowledged that thimerosal can be a neurotoxin (knowing very well that mercury is a neurotoxin), and in 2004 stated that thimerosal-containing vaccines were associated with autism."

    OK, we know that mercury is a neurotoxin, this is not up for debate. Onto the second claim. I'm afraid this is an outright lie. Please visit the FDA website here http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/UCM096228 to see the relevant information for yourself.

    8) "When California researchers, for example, studied the association between autism and environmental pollution in the San Francisco Bay area, they discovered a potential connection between ambient metal concentrations, and possibly chlorinated solvents, and an increased risk for autism. A lot of controversy has also emerged concerning the mercury preservative called thimerosol used in vaccines, as some believe it can cause autism."

    I don't think you read this one? You cannot pass this as _evidence_ that thimerosal causes autism, it is simple speculation.

    9) "The mercury in the vaccines causes autism, brain damage, and disease. "

    Again, just because someone says this, does not make it true. You can't use someone else's conjecture as evidence for your own conjecture.

    10) "He said the definitive Danish study of more than 500,000 children born between 1991 and 1998 could not rule out a link between MMR and autism because many children went on to get autism after the trial had been concluded. 'The most important age group to look at comprises children aged from five to nine,' he said. 'The number with autism increased from 8."

    OK - this is the first time I've seen anything that resembles a real argument. However, those of us in the field know that the typical diagnosis age for autism is between 3 and 5, with much work being done to reach these children even earlier. The weight of the evidence suggests that it is _very_ rare to see children developing autism after age 5. I think the US Dr is somewhat mistaken. See http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2007/1114_autism_ohanlon.aspx
    for a brief discussion of autism diagnosis ages.

    11) "The increases in the occurrence of autism are closely linked to the widespread use of thimerosal-containing vaccines." This is true in temporal terms. There is a close link _temporally_ between administration of vaccine, and development of autism, in some cases. BUT, the _evidence_ (200 independent studies) does not favour a _causal_ link between the two. Again, simply stating there is a link ignores the overwhelming evidence that this link is not causal.

    12) ..." but little has been done to investigate the possible connection between vaccines and developmental problems (as in the possible connection between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism)."

    Again, this is NOT evidence of a link, and is an outright lie. 200 studies would suggest otherwise.

    13) "It was determined that there was a close correlation between mercury doses from thimerosal - containing childhood vaccines and the prevalence of autism from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s."

    Basic statistics students will tell you that correlation does not imply causation. Again, the preponderance of the evidence " favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism".

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  3. 14) "Orthodox medical opinion claims autism is caused by genetic defect, but many people have been looking at the possibility that vaccines are at the root of autism. Specifically, the concern centers around thimerosol, a mercury-based preservative that was used in several childhood vaccines until 1999, at which time thimerosol was removed or greatly reduced. An estimated 80 percent of children show significant improvement after detoxification of poisonous heavy metals from their system."

    Again - this is not _evidence_ but rather a narrative about work being done. It does not support a link between autism and thimerosal. The final sentence is a non-sequitur, as it does not say which children improve, how they improve, or what heavy metals are removed.

    15) "'Here was an unprecedented political commitment to expand, intensify, and coordinate research into autism and services for children living with autism,' says Richard Horton, in his book MMR: Science and Fiction - Exploring a Vaccine Crisis. Or the government could have anticipated a steep rise in demand for individual vaccines, particularly against mumps."

    This is simply NOT evidence of a link between vaccines and autism. IT is evidence that autism research is funded because autism is on the rise and needs to be solved. The author merely guesses, from nowhere, that the government thinks it's to do with the increase in vaccines.

    16) "In the case of MMR-triggered autism, the virus in this vaccine could be the final straw, triggering autism in a child who has already been damaged by previous exposure to chemicals from vaccines and the environment. "

    All of this COULD be true. But, conjecturing it does not make it evidence.

    17) We must ask: why were faulty tires quickly recalled when they were dangerous while infant vaccines are not when there are so many claims they appear to cause autism and brain damage? If they are safe, use them. "

    Nice analogy. Unfortunately it is false. They were not recalled because no-one has provided evidence that they are dangerous, in the way that tyres are dangerous.

    18) "The use of the mercury-based thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines has been associated with autism. Despite the evidence, mercury is still being added to vaccines at completely unsafe levels considering the fact that it is a known neurotoxin. A recent study conducted by the University of Calgary showed that mercury ions alter the cell-membrane of developing neurons in babies and young children, directly contributing to autism."

    It has NOT been associated with autism, as I hope we are beginning to understand. The University of Calgary study shows neurotoxic effects of mercury, yes, but to state "directly contributing to autism" is a simple falsehood, because no-one has a satisfactory answer yet as to the neural insults that DIRECTLY cause autism. It is a leap of logic to suggest A causes B, B be associated with C, therefore A causes C. While this path is tempting to take, without _evidence_ of it being true, it is not safe to say it IS true.

    19) "Studies have shown that the poisons in vaccinations are a major cause of learning disabilities, autism and mental retardation in children. "

    Again, which studies are these, exactly? Are they included in the 200 studies reviewed by the Institute of Medicine that find no causal relationship between vaccines and autism?


    Sorry to have to post this in 3 parts. I feel very strongly about this campaign of misinformation, as you might be able to tell.

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