WSJ: LTE; Vaccines Have Eliminated Many Childhood Diseases

[Guest guest]

Vaccines Have Eliminated Many Childhood Diseases

True, true and unrelated. That seems to fit the proposed autism-vaccine link when one examines the data. Yes, reported rates of autism have increased since the late 1980s and yes, that was when thimerosal first appeared in childhood vaccinations. But there are no reliable data to prove a cause-and-effect relationship. This was masterfully supported by Fumento in his June 24 commentary "Immune to Reason" (Taste page, Weekend Journal) and in his July 14 Letter to the Editor "There Is No Thimerosal-Autism Conspiracy," both of which refute claims that thimerosal, a mercury-based derivative, causes autism. I would agree with Mr. Fumento that to link the two as cause-and-effect indicates a lack of understanding of science. Meanwhile, the lay public hears the message that vaccines might be causing brain damage.

To those who see a link, I would ask: 1) What about increased rates of childhood bipolar disorder after manufacturers began removing thimerosal from vaccines in 1999? Was thimerosal protective against bipolar disorder? And 2) Why isn't more being done to reduce industrial mercury emissions? Surely reducing mercury emissions is more worthwhile than asking parents to think twice before having their children vaccinated.

Early in my pediatric career, I encountered children who were labeled "retarded," and now many of those children (but certainly not all) are labeled "autistic." Many were institutionalized. And now they are mainstreamed and more visible. Designing a retrospective study that corrects for these societal changes to determine if the incidence of autism is truly rising is problematic at best. What is well known is that many devastating diseases faced by pediatricians and families just 20 years ago are no longer on the radar screen, thanks to newer and better vaccines.

Meanwhile, about 630,000 babies a year are born with mercury exposure that could reduce their mental abilities, according to EPA estimates. The major cause: coal-fired power plants with unregulated mercury emissions. The mercury mixes with rain and ends up in rivers and lakes, contaminating the fish.

Yes, whatever thimerosal is left in vaccines should be removed, and parents have the right to know whether or not vaccine manufacturers are telling the truth when they say that thimerosal has been removed. Once it has been removed, as now required by law, do you suppose autism rates will drop? I'd love to think so, but I'm not counting on it. Meanwhile, physician recommendations that we eat more fish for better health need qualification until our government officials take that mercury issue seriously.

Goble, M.D.Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, Mich.