New Study: No Causal Link Between Thimerasol and Autism
A newly published study based on research done at the University of Missouri-Columbia discounts the claim that there is a link between autism and thimerasol in vaccines. Said Judith Miles, who is the William S. Thomson Endowed Chair of Autism and professor of pediatrics and pathology in the MU School of Medicine in a press release:
“This study adds to the evidence that there is no casual association between thimerosal and childhood autism……We conclude that there is no indication that pregnancies resulting in children with autism were more likely to be complicated by Rh immune globulin/thimerosal exposure.”
The study, which investigated thimerasol exposure in pregnant women whose children were later diagnosed with autism, is entitled “Lack of Association Between Rh Status, Rh Immune Globulin in Pregnancy and Autism” and was published in the May 2007 issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics. 214 mothers of 230 autistic children participated and were evaluated based on their Rh status:
Rh negative women are routinely treated with Rh immune globulin (RhIg) during the third trimester to prevent hemolytic disease, in which the mother’s immune system attacks fetal blood cells. Like many vaccines, RhIg manufactured in the United States contained thimerosal prior to 2001. Since young fetal brains are more susceptible to neurotoxic effects, researchers led by Miles, of the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, assessed Rh status and thimerosal exposure of mothers of children with autism.
……… Rh status, RhIg with thimerosal exposure and Rh incompatibility (in which the mother’s Rh status is different than the fetus’s) were established by reviewing medical records. The results showed that in children with autism, Rh negative status was no higher in their mothers than in the general population, that exposure to RhIg (preserved with thimerosal) before birth was no higher and that pregnancies were not more likely to be Rh incompatible.
The press release also notes that there is “still fierce debate” about a possible thimerasol-autism link as the reason for the rising prevalence rate of autism, despite a continued lack of evidence—no doubt the “debate,” in all its fierceness, will still rage in the wake of these new findings.
17 opinions for New Study: No Causal Link Between Thimerasol and Autism
Club 166
May 16, 2007 at 9:25 am
I’m off work this week, so am enjoying some extra time with the kids.
Yesterday morning I was reading to them at breakfast. We were reading “The Magic Schoolbus and the Science Fair Expidition”. I had to laugh when I came to a page where they were talking about the scientific method. They had two columns contrasting “Without the Scientific Method” with “With the Scientific Method”.
In the column “Without the Scientific Method” they had “Get an idea -> Don’t test it -> Believe what you want.
In the column “With the Scientific Method” they had “Get an idea -> Test it before believing it.
I just laughed as the first thought that came to my mind are all those who believe that mercury/thimerosol causes autism. If 5 and 7 year olds reading a kids’ book can get the scientific method, why can’t adults?
Julie
May 16, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Very well put. I am still wondering why so many parents are so quick to believe things without proof. It is hard for me to understand why they can see that it could be a neurological difference instead of poisoning.
Niksmom
May 16, 2007 at 2:07 pm
I have to agree. That said, I think there must be some primordial need for a parent to want to try to find a reason for their child’s autism (or other disabilities) that has a chance of being “fixable”. I don’t know if it’s about needing to feel some measure of control over an out-of-control situation or a means of staving off feeling guilty (which NO ONE should feel about autism!)or, perhaps, angry (which we certainly have a right to feel but I don’t think it’s terribly helpful to our children). It seems to be so difficult for we humans to be able to accept that, sometimes, there may not be a causal relationship; “I don’t know” has been man’s unending struggle —or so it would seem as evidenced by remarkable persistence in scientific discover, invention, artistic endeavors, spiritual quests, etc. For some, that is where FAITH steps in and allows a measure of peace or acceptance which makes it easier to keep moving and hoping.
Not saying I agree with the mercury mind-set, but I think I can understand a piece of what might motivate it.
Kristina Chew, PhD
May 16, 2007 at 8:32 pm
I think (I think) I can understand what is behind the mindset of advocates for the mercury/vaccine-autism hypothesis–pinpointing something like mercury as to “blame” for autism makes it clear that there is an external agent causing autism.
Besides a review of the scientific method, some instruction in correlation and causation too might be of use?
Don
May 17, 2007 at 12:45 pm
I believe the thimerisol hypothesis is primarily being put forward by tort lawyers so they can sucker unsuspecting parents into suing drug companies. Robert Kennedy Jr. is one of the non-stakeholders active in this area.
It also functions as a salve to parents (like me) who are constantly asking themselves: did I do something to bring this on? Why me (us)? How do I cope with the tremendous financial liabilities that come with having an autistic child?
Judy
May 23, 2007 at 11:41 pm
I still have trouble with injecting a child with a known neurotoxin over and over again while the brain is developing. Am I crazy or what?
Kristina Chew, PhD
May 24, 2007 at 11:55 am
Don: I do think the thimerasol hypothesis is a sort of “salve” as it suggests that there is an external reason, a non-genetic, cause of autism. It provides a simple and straightforward answer to the “why me” question that is readily understood and explained.
Judy, I think your concern shows precisely why the hypothesis endures.
From Mother Blaming to Mercury Blaming
May 25, 2007 at 12:13 am
[…] research continues to establish that there is no causal link between thimerasol and autism, fears about a connection between vaccines—thimerasol being a mercury-based preservative used […]
Science, Coincidence, and Mercury: What can you trust?
Jun 1, 2007 at 1:43 am
[…] has been asked: Why, in the face of evidence, do some still believe that autism is mercury […]
Rebecca A Miller-Elbert
Oct 10, 2007 at 11:01 pm
See your child change before your eyes following a round of routine shots and you will look for answers, not blame. See the difficulties they face everyday. I think with anything there are usually more than one casual factors. My suggestion read more than one study, ask yourself if injecting children with a known toxin while their neurons are still forming (up to age 2) sounds logical. Also why did the government do their own studies and encourage manufacturers to take it out of the product in the late 1980’s. Shouldn’t parents have been given access to the studies to make an informed decision. I look at the hard road my son has in front of him and I pray that something I decided for him didn’t contribute to his condition, but yes you wonder and want answers.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Oct 11, 2007 at 12:34 am
How old is your son now, if I may ask? And hope he has been well? Best wishes—
KimJ
Oct 11, 2007 at 1:07 am
For my family, the thimersol topic is irrelevant. My son was behind in his vaccines, especially the MMR and yet he displayed autistic traits. We waited until he was 2 1/2 for an assessment because he presented exactly like my husband (when he was a baby/toddler). So, there was no regression, no soulless baby, no changeling in the crib. He was just very, very delayed and very, very much like us.
So, I find the vaccine theory very distracting and frustrating. 8 years after the fact, it doesn’t matter why my son is autistic. He is and that’s okay.
It reminds me of that old joke, “the leading cause of death is birth”. (not to confuse being autistic with “death” but that birth is the cause of everything)
Kristina Chew, PhD
Oct 11, 2007 at 1:10 am
I guess that puts us all at a disadvantage.
“So there was no regression, no soulless baby, no changeling in the crib. He was just very, very delayed and very, very much like us.”: Kim, that is the same with us.
volunteer librarian
Oct 11, 2007 at 1:34 am
“It reminds me of that old joke, “the leading cause of death is birth.”
I never get jokes right, but it reminds me of the one that goes, “Chances are that if your parents were childless, then you will be too,” or something like that.
Steve B.
Oct 26, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I’d like some specifics on the conflict-of-interest that Don claims for RFK, Jr. The implication seems to be that Kennedy is plaintiff’s attorney in thimerosal lawsuits. But the only information I can find on his affiliations are 1) a professor at Pace Law School and 2) an attorney for a couple of enviromental groups. The latter certainly have a legitimate claim against mercury contamination, but it’s from coal burning, not from vaccines.
Steve B.
Oct 26, 2007 at 2:39 pm
I would be interested to hear the anti-alarmists’ opinions of the following review of the U. Missouri paper: http://www.safeminds.org/pressroom/pres_releases/Review_Miles_Takahashi_6-20-07.pdf
It is claimed therein that the authors did not distinguish between brands of RhIg containing mercury and those that were mercury-free. They also take pains to point out that the study was funded by Johnson&Johnson, highlighting an apparent conflict-of-interest.
so cal
Oct 26, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Side note: Orac has written a few pieces about RFK Jr in re: his mercury causation mania.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: