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The Autism Controversy A Growing Issue August 13, 2008

Autism is the most common condition of developmental disorders (Vaccines 1). There has been much controversy over the growing issue of autism. It is believed that autism can be triggered by Thimerosal, an inorganic mercury compound that is used in many vaccines to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination. Thimerosal has been proven that it is neither safe nor a necessary preservative for vaccines. Thimerosal contains mercury which is hazardous to humans. It is a toxic poison used as a preservative and should be eliminated completely. There has yet to be adequate testing on the safety of Thimerosal for use in childhood vaccines. The FDA has yet to require manufactures to conduct safety testing on Thimerosal, but there is much evidence to support that it is neither safe nor effective as a preservative (THIMEROSAL 1). The largest indication that Thimerosal causes autism is the epidemic of autism that has developed. Since 1992 there has been a 644% increase of autism in the United States. Recent studies show that one in nine children are disabled by this developmental disorder. The estimated number of cases has increased from one in 2,500 to one in 166 children (THIMEROSAL 1). The Journal of the American Medical Association and Pediatrics has confirmed that the epidemic is real and is not affected by changes in diagnosis or environmental factors. There has also been an increase in the number of childhood vaccines containing Thimerosal. These two increases are not unrelated. Children are now exposed to ethlymercury three times more than ever before. Studies by doctors and scientists say that the relationship between Thimerosal and autism has moved from biologically probably to biological certainty. Dr. Mark Geier and David Geier, associated with the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons and Experimental Biology and Medicine, have conducted recent studies that show strong evidence that there is a relationship between Thimerosal and developmental disorders in children (THIMEROSAL 2). Federal health officials have also stated that the amount of Thimerosal in vaccines has increased and is now higher than the 0.1 micrograms per kilogram of bodyweight (THIMEROSAL 2). With the growing epidemic of autism this is reason for concern. Thimerosal remains in many vaccines, including the flu vaccine, which is now being recommended for infants, putting more children than ever before at risk for developing autism. Many parents are also not aware of the harm that Thimerosal can cause or that there is an option to receive Thimerosal free vaccines (Deadly 1). No amount of mercury is safe for childhood vaccines and this inorganic compound should be taken out of all vaccines. In 1999 the FDA requested that Thimerosal be taken out of all childhood vaccines, but it was never fully successful due to the gradual process of phasing Thimerosal out (New Study 1). The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons have been conducting studies that have proven that there is a link between Thimerosal and autism (First 1). Through the studies, it has been proven that autism and other neurological disorders have decreased by 35 percent once mercury was removed. Until 1989, children were required to receive three shots and by 1999 they were required to receive 22 before the first grade (Deadly 1). Since this change, autism and other neurological disorders have increased drastically. In the United States there are over half a million children that are affected (New Study 1). This epidemic is a troubling problem in the United States. In the future it will lead to problems with the economy and society. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, it costs over 3.2 million dollars to raise and take care of an autistic child (High Cost 1). To accurately provide for all of the autistic people in the world it costs an average of 35 billion dollars a year (Autism has High Costs 1). These statistics do not include any out of pocket expense that the parents pay, such as alternative therapy options, or expenses that are never recorded High Cost 1). Since there is no cure for autism, there are no options for people who are affected. They are left struggling for the rest of their lives trying to survive in a world that usually does not accept them. In general people tend to shun the unknown and unfamiliar. These actions only lead to the burden of this growing problem. People with autism need to be embraced and not just seen as another problem in society. Another problem is the growing cost to properly take care of an autistic person. With the growing increase, due to the mercury in Thimerosal, there are more people affected than ever and the costs are growing. Also since there is no cure for autism, ample amounts of money is being invested in research in order to try and find a cure, not just treatments. Through treatments, someone with autism can learn to lead a relatively normal life, but they will always need to continue this treatment. By having to do this they are always tied down to this lifestyle. It is especially hard on the families who children were never affected until after receiving vaccines enhanced with Thimerosal. One of the main symptoms of autism is the lack of ability to communicate and interact with others (Autism Society 1). These symptoms are probably the most devastating because it is the one that most keeps them from functioning in society. Many autistic people use picture books in order to communicate. These books are compiled of words that the individual would use on a daily basis. Through this it allows them more independence and the ability to voice what they want and their opinions like a normal person. They are able to prove that they are just as smart, if not smarter, and that they have the ability to think for themselves. With the growing epidemic of autism, there are many reasons to be concerned for the next generation’s future. Almost ten years ago Thimerosal was suppose to be taken off the market, but it has yet to happen (First 1). This does not look good on the United States society. It appears as though America does not care enough about the problem to take a simple action of removing the compound from vaccines. Many parents are not aware of the dangers of mercury or that there is Thimerosal free options available (THIMEROSAL 2). The rapid epidemic is devastating to the future society. Unless Thimerosal is taken out of childhood, the epidemic is only going to continue to grow, thus affecting the future society of America. Overall there is much reason to be concerned about the epidemic of autism that is developing. Autism is the most common condition of developmental disorders. The debates between whether or not there is a link between Thimerosal and autism will be debated for many years to come, which will be detrimental to the society of America. Parents do not need to be put through the pain and heartache that has come from this inorganic compound in childhood vaccines.

Reference: http://nurselegals.com/medicalforum

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