Scientific Studies:

Autism Correlated with Mercury

MCS America News, Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2008.

Parents want to know what is leading to the apparent increase in autism, and many across the country are blaming mercury from vaccines as the culprit for their children's autism. Doctors and medical organizations have denied there is a connection and continue to recommend, and even force, vaccinations that contain thimerosal. Thimerosal contains the neurotoxin mercury and doctors claim the dose is not high enough to cause any damage to health.

Researchers at the Department of Psychology, University of Northern Iowa wanted to know the truth. Particularly interested in the correlation between mercury exposure and autism, the researchers cite that, like the link between aspirin and heart attack, even a small effect can have major health implications. Could mercury contribute to autism?

Proponents of both sides of the autism debate over mercury cite that the other side refers to studies that are misleading or funded by industry. Those who support no connection between mercury and autism are accused of reporting false results to protect the financial interests of pharmaceutical companies and industry. Some say researchers are paid off to report the desired findings of the payer.

Refreshingly, this set of researchers stated that “If there is any link between autism and mercury, it is absolutely crucial that the first reports of the question are not falsely stating that no link occurs.”

This led them to reanalyzing a data set originally reported by Ip et al. in 2004. They found an error in the original p value. Upon correcting this error, they found that a significant relation does exist between the blood levels of mercury and diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder!

Parents have been saying all along that the symptoms of mercury poisoning are the same as the symptoms of autism. Many claim that chelation cured and/or improved their child's health and behavior. Further evidence can be found in the fact that both autism and increased vaccinations occurred simultaneously.

There is still one question that burns in many parents’ minds. Why are some children affected and not others? This reanalyzed study has provided an answer. Hair samples in this study support the theory that persons with autism may be less efficient at eliminating mercury. This would indicate that vaccination with thimerosal laced vaccines is contraindicated in a significant portion of the population, if not all.

Should thimerosal be eliminated from all childhood vaccines? It would probably be a good idea based on these findings. Yet, New Jersey just enacted a law to force children to receive a thimerosal laced flu shot each year. New Jersey also has the highest rates of autism in the country. Parents must wonder why lawmakers without medical degrees are calling the “shots”.

Citation: Desoto MC, Hitlan RT. Blood Levels of Mercury Are Related to Diagnosis of Autism: A Reanalysis of an Important Data Set. J Child Neurol. 2007 Nov;22(11):1308-1311.

Copyrighted © 2008 MCS America