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 (and) do not support the hypothesis that that exposure (to it) during childhood is a primary cause of autism,” the study concluded.

Link

In what I have seen and read on this subject if a parent has reason for concern, then why wouldn’t they be given the option to have gene testing. Are parents being informed about additional options and choices?

Furthermore, where is the data that shows us just how safe these newer type vaccines are? Has the mfg process been changed so much so that it cannot be compared to the vaccines of a decade ago?

How much does the public know about this? Should we be led to believe that these are the same as they ever where? No, we shouldn’t because they are not.

There is a false sense of security…

Actually, Altex if you google you will find other information on this.

As I read through this thread, and contemplated an appropriate response, especially aimed at Nathan’s pro-pharma propaganda, I found your comment:

Oh, since someone wanted proof that there was a link between vaccines and autism or any other types of disorders, let me ask you a question first. Years ago was there definitive proof that tobacco could contribute in some way to people contracting cancer?

As we discuss trust–whether it be to the profit-driven industry, or the tarnished regulatory agency, or the medical profession, itself– your comment shows where/how our distrust was born. Thanks.

I am suggesting that we take the necessary steps to educate the public about choices and options.

Do we have the capacity to do this type of testing? Well, you seem to be a better capitalist than me, but I would say, “If you build it, they will come…”

Have a read…

By Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Chief Medical Correspondent

Some new news to share about autism today. At a press conference this morning, a Georgia family will describe how the government has conceded that a vaccine “contributed” to their daughter’s autism symptoms. The family will receive compensation from a federal vaccine court.

That doesn’t mean the federal government agrees that vaccines cause autism (click here for more on autism). Nor does this 9-year-old girl’s case mean the 4,900 other families in the vaccine court have won their claim that vaccines resulted in their children’s autism. That case continues.

Advocates who see a vaccine-autism link point to Hannah Poling’s case as a big victory for their cause - evidence of the potentially disastrous side effects of vaccines.

Within 48 hours after receiving her vaccinations, Hannah, then 19 months old and by all accounts a normal little girl, developed a high fever, inconsolable crying and some signs of regression, including difficulty walking and speaking.

Over the next several months, she had countless visits with doctors finally culminating in the diagnosis of encephalopathy with features of autism spectrum disorder. At the same time, and this is potentially very important, she had genetic testing and was found to have the gene for an underlying mitochondrial disorder (click here for more about mitochondrial disorder).

So, did the vaccines worsen an already existing condition leading to the symptoms of autism? That is what the government seems to have conceded. And, if so, was it caused by the mercury preservative thimerosal, which was present in Hannah’s vaccines several years ago, or was it the profound immune response that vaccinations cause in the body?

The Centers for Diseases Control, American Academy of Pediatrics, Institute of Medicine and other prestigious medical organizations maintain there is no link between vaccines and autism.

As many experts have told me, this case is likely to raise more questions than it answers. But, these are good questions and important ones for anyone who cares about this issue. What do you think?

Editor’s Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation.

You continue to suggest that there is some recent case where genetic testing proved that a vaccine caused autism. As I asked before, please produce a reference (not just the title of an article in the lay press).

Atlex

As I’ve already stated, if a genetic test can predict vaccine (or drug) toxicity, then we should seriously look into it. However, I don’t think there are too many genetic tests that are ready for prime-time yet. Even the HER-2 breast cancer genetic marker is only tested for in individuals that have a history of breast cancer. Genetic testing just isn’t cheap yet. Maybe soon it will be.

I have. My children have all been vaccinated. They will continue to be vaccinated against any life-threatening disease for which vaccines are available.

As a society should be abondon manditory seatbelt and airbag usage because they sometimes kill automobile occupants? Rocky, feel free to drive without your seatbelt — I’ll stick with the government crash statistics on this one. I’ll also stick with the FDA decision that vaccines, on the whole, are good for society and good for the individual. If you want to play russian roulette with your kids health, that’s your buisness.

Nathan, in the recent case that I talked about the parents did have the child tested and this is how they determined that in this particular case the vaccine was indeed very toxic to her and caused the autism.

So, it is available. Now what I would like to see happen is that the word get out there to parents. They have something to help them make a better more informed decision and it will provide them with a great deal of information and probably guidance throughout their child’s life. But if the word doesn’t get out there, some children will not be vaccinated even though it would not have harmed them.

It just makes the case stronger for better communication. Let’s agree that we all want the best thing for our children. Then we put something in place that gives a fair shot to everyone to make the right decisions for their family, not only a few enlightened individuals.