Vaccine made kids autistic, U.S. families claim

[Guest guest]

Sorry, I don't have a link for this.

Subject: Vaccine made kids autistic, U.S. families claim

BOSTON (AP) - Two Massachusetts families are suing several

vaccine-makers, alleging the companies' use of a

preservative caused their children's autism.

In the lawsuit filed in Middlesex Superior Court, the families

allege the children " were poisoned with toxic mercury "

in the preservative thimerosal.

" No one can tell you what caused the autism, " said Chmura,

whose four-year-old autistic son is a plaintiff in

the case.

" But you find out you're injecting poison into your kid's

bloodstream, the same poison they tell you not to give them

via tuna fish. "

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is working with

manufacturers to phase out use of thimerosal.

The preservative has been used in vaccines for everything from

hepatitis B to diptheria/tetanus.

The U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration said there is no evidence the

preservative is linked to autism. Several studies

are being conducted on whether a possible connection exists.

" Certainly mercury is not good for you but at the concentrations

that were present in the vaccines, there's no

indication that they were harmful, " said Dr. Egan, deputy

director of the vaccine office at the FDA.

A spokesman for Aventis Pasteur, named in the lawsuit, said he

couldn't comment on pending litigation.

Autism is a permanent neurological disorder which includes

difficulty communicating or obsession with repetitive

motions, such as head-rolling. Autistics also may have learning

difficulties. There is no cure.

The families suing are seeking money for their children's medical

care, as well as punitive damages.

The lawsuit alleges seven vaccine manufacturers and five companies

that produce thimerosal failed to test the

vaccines properly and warn parents about the risks of the

thimerosal.