Year old Huffpo article on autism-- Janet Kern

[Guest guest]

I've never heard of this doctor and it doesn't look like many from

our community responded to her blog. This article was " recommended "

in one of those no-reply emails from Huffpost. Better late than

never. This is for anyone collecting bios of docs on our side. She

works in Dallas.

Janet Kern

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Autism and This Election

stumble digg reddit del.ico.us mixx.com ShareThisPosted July 7,

2008 | 09:04 PM (EST)

I am a neuroscientist and I do research in autism. Autism is a

neurological disorder in which a child is impaired in their ability

to relate and communicate with others, characterized by the " autistic

aloneness. "

I am writing this blog because I want to share my perspective as an

autism researcher on the importance of the upcoming presidential

election. I want more Americans to know how critically important this

election is to our children.

My recent research findings, as well as the findings from many other

researchers, shows that mercury exposure is a part of the pathology

in autism. For example, recent research by Dr. Palmer (and

colleagues) of the University of Texas Health Science Center in San

found that the closer a child lives to an industrial source

of mercury, the more likely the child will be diagnosed with autism.

This finding was consistent with two prior studies: one also by

Palmer and colleagues that showed that as the rate of mercury release

increases, so does the rate of autism; and two, a 2006 California

environmental study that showed an association between autism and

environmental exposures including mercury.

Recent brain studies have shown neurodegeneration in these children

associated with oxidative stress; also finding the extent of the

oxidative stress was related to the amount of mercury in the brain.

My (and my colleagues') recent research shows that children with

autism are more vulnerable to heavy metal toxicity. The Geiers and

Nataf (and colleagues) found that children with autism have a higher

mercury body burden than typically developing children.

One source of mercury is industry, particularly coal burning power

plants. However, for the past seven years, the Bush administration

has taken us backwards environmentally. For example, the Bush

administration brought about new EPA rules that exempted power plants

from the list of polluting sources subject to strict mercury

controls, even though they contribute 41 percent of the annual total

of mercury pollution in the US.

The Natural Resources Defense Council's website lists many of the

environmental rollbacks since the Bush administration, such as making

toxics reporting standards more lenient for industry.

Another source of mercury is thimerosal (a mercury-based

preservative) in some vaccines. Many states (e.g., Iowa, Illinois,

California, Delaware, New York, and Missouri) have banned the use of

thimerosal in vaccines; however, legislation signed into law by the

Bush administration in 2005 allowed federal preemption of the use of

thimerosal, such that thimerosal could be used in vaccines even if it

is banned in the state. In addition, in 2007, Bush vetoed a bill that

banned the use of childhood flu vaccines that contain thimerosal.

This election is gravely important to our children's future. Autism

is now a global pandemic affecting 1 in every 150 children and the

rates are increasing. We are at a critical juncture and our children

cannot endure four more years of the Bush policies that protect

industry and corporate interests despite what is best for our

children.

We need a president who will not define public health and

environmental policies according to business principles, but on the

principles that rise above these and serve the general good. We need

a change from the policies of the past eight years.

My hope is that Americans will consider this issue when voting in the

fall.