Relationship Between Thimerosol And Autism

In the article, “Vaccines Cause Autism,” Michael Snyder, an attorney and writer, attempts to convince parents of young children that autism is directly linked to childhood vaccinations. He claims that numerous toxins, including thimerosal, are present in vaccines that are forced into the bloodstream, later causing neurological and brain damage to children. He says that autism has risen by 78 percent over the past decade, and that 1/88 children in the US have an autistic disorder. Snyder believes that most autistic individuals start out completely normal, and that the vaccinations they are given are harming them. He blames the pharmaceutical companies for being too

These components can cause autism on their own or possibly when combined with exposure to environmental factors that have not yet been classified. A small number of cases can be linked to genetic disorders such as Fragile X, Tuberous Sclerosis, and Angelman’s Syndrome. In an article on Health &Wellness- Tree.com many families link vaccines with autism and this has been an intense debate for almost a decade. On one side are the families of autistic children, many of whom are convinced that the link between autism and vaccines is real. On the other side researchers who have conducted numerous medical studies, some involving thousands of children, have found NO evidence linked to autism and vaccines. There are suggestions that the reason several parents blame immunizations is that it is the one common factor among children corresponds with the age in which the children receive their immunization for Measles Mumps and Rubella. (Health &Wellness 1) “The autism linked to vaccine side of the argument does have a smoking gun to point to: thimerosal. Thimerosal was an ingredient in childhood vaccines until 1999, when pharmaceutical companies bowed to public pressure

In the beginning of the book, that she explained her experience and life, which she was struggling because she showed her emotions

However, the speech flipped an interesting emotional switch when she said that she was very anxious about giving the speech. She implied that she wasn’t sure what to say to a group of talented women. I don’t exactly understand her thought when it came to this part, because what would be the point of telling the audience that you’re anxious. For me, it just slowed down the pacing of the speech, because we’re waiting longer for her to get to her actual thesis.

of the situation and to show that she now has the upper hand in their

The topic of the article is the connection (or lack of) between childhood vaccines (MMR) and autism. Contrary to popular opinion, vaccines are not linked to autism in any shape or form and there is no scientific evidence to support it.

In the first couple of paragraphs, she utilizes a didactic tone to talk to him about ehy she urged him to go even though he seemed reluctant to go with his father. She states this in "If I had thought your reluctance arose from proper deliberation... I should not have urged you to accompany your father..." She also doesnt

Throughout research done on the possible link between vaccines and autism, there have been three hypotheses: (1) the combination MMR vaccine causes autism by damaging the intestinal lining, which allows the entrance of encephalopathic proteins; (2) thimerosal, an ethylmercury-containing preservative

she wanted to do. To be outspoken and stand up you must also be brave.

In the letter she pours a lot of emotions and makes it obvious that she have been told that “he

There are reported to be "no definitive causes of autism, research has found some common risk factors in children who have been diagnosed with this complex disorder. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 150 children will have autism and that number is growing." (p.1) Research is reported to have found a causal

In spite of false claims linking thimerosal to autism, several studies show that thimerosal does not have any link to autism and it is rather safe for the body to metabolize. When thimerosal enters the body, it is metabolized to two components, ethylmercury and thiosalicylate. Both ethylmercury and thiosalicylate are readily eliminated from the body and do not build up to harmful levels. Methylmercury, however, is slightly neurotoxic and has the potential to build up for it is not as readily excreted from the body. Methylmercury is readily absorbed into the body through consuming seafood and is found in tiny trace amounts of thimerosal.

It did elaborate on the strengths and limitations within the study. I did find this article difficult to read and to follow with the variety of information from discussing thimerosal levels in the infants, the biological mechanisms, organic Hg, and using different dosing of vaccines. This was the only study I located where the results did show a correlation between receiving vaccines with thimerosal and developing autism. I am really unable to determine if this is a reliable study since it was difficult for me to understand the methods and analysis. The discussion section did assess the strengths and limitations within the study. The conclusion summarized the study, it did not introduce any new references or

There has been research in the genetic factors that cause autism. One of these research methods is “family-based and case-control evaluations of candidate genes. These studies have identified numerous candidate loci, most consistently on chromosomes 7q, 15q and 2q.” ( Muhle et al. 2004; and Santangelo and Tsatsanis, 2005, as cited in Landrigan, 2010, pg. 220). Another form of genetic research that has occurred in studying autism is “cytogenetic studies…cytogenetic studies have identified abnormalities on chromosome 15q.” (Muhle et al. 2004, as cited in Landrigan, 2010, pg. 220). While, these genetic research opportunities have found relevant data, only about 8 percent of all autism cases are genetic (Landrigan, 2010). Another cause that has been researched is how environmental factors cause autism. One study found “an increased incidence of autism is reported among children exposed prenatally to thalidomide.” (Rodier, 2002, as cited in Landrigan, 2010, pg. 221). Another chemical that has been found to have a connection with autism is misoprostol. In the U.S. it is used to treat gastric ulcers and, in an instance in Brazil, four out of seven infants that were exposed to misoprostol had autism (Bandim et al. 2003, as cited in Landrigan, 2010, pg. 221). These are only a few examples of research projects and data that has been collected regarding childhood

According to a statement made the Federal Drug and Food Administration, thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound that since the 1930s and has been widely used as a preservative in a number of biological and drug products. These said drug products include vaccines, and many have speculated that the organic compound may be influential in causing autism. Due to the concern and controversy over the topic, pharmaceutical companies made the decision to extremely