Autism Exploitation

[Guest guest]

http://www.acsh.org/factsfears/newsID.1220/news_detail.asp

May 27, 2009

Autism Exploitation

By Marvin Schissel

The rate of diagnosed autism in the country today has increased from 1 in 10,000

in 1995 to 1 in 150 today. However, this likely reflects increased information

and awareness about autism, the expansion of diagnostic criteria, more thorough

and accurate diagnoses, and the classification of many cases as autism that

would previously have been recorded as mental retardation. Autism is a lifelong

condition that has a devastating effect on individuals and on their families.

It is understandable that those involved with the autism spectrum can be

desperate for help, for any hope of help. And this desperation makes them ready

prey for charlatans.

There are therapies, ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) and CBT

(Cognitive,Behavior Therapy), that are considered helpful. But they are not

widely available, can be expensive and time consuming, and may offer only

limited progress. This sets the stage for sham artists who eagerly hurl

themselves into the breach with information and treatment that is false,

ineffective and harmful.

The false assertion that connects autism with vaccines and mercury has led to

lower vaccination rates and a marked increase in those major diseases that

vaccination protected against; should the trend continue we may be faced with an

epidemic. But promoters of this deceit are cashing in with books, lectures, and,

worst of all, scientifically unsupported treatments that are not only

ineffective but can be dangerous. Such treatments include chelation, hyperbaric

oxygen, lupron, and a wide variety of other questionable therapies, diets, and

ineffective behavioral regimens.

The vaccine quackery started in 1998 with a published paper by Wakefield

and twelve others that suggested a link with MMR vaccine and autism. This study

was criticized as flawed and ten of its twelve authors have since disassociated

themselves from its assertions. Subsequently it was revealed that previous to

the study Wakefield had received well over a half million dollars from lawyers

hoping to sue vaccine companies. Recently it was claimed that Wakefield

falsified his data. Worse yet, it has been discovered that Wakefield, prior to

his publication, had applied for a patent for a new measles vaccine: if he could

prove the old vaccine was dangerous a new vaccine would be very profitable. But

the bottom line is that with all the studies that have been done worldwide

involving over half a million children, no association between autism and

vaccines has ever been demonstrated, and this counterfeit controversy has been

scientifically laid to rest. Unfortunately, this phony issue still rages among

the scientifically ignorant public.

In the news recently have been the activities of Dr. Mark Geier and his son

, longtime campaigners in the arena of dubious autism activity. Mark Geier

has appeared as an " expert " witness in over a hundred cases, although he has

been criticized by courts for being intellectually dishonest and not having

appropriate training, expertise and experience. Reputable scientists have

repeatedly dismissed the Geiers' autism research as seriously flawed. A

front-page article in the NY Times actually made fun of the pretentions of the

Geiers and their naive lab facilities. But they are not deterred by criticism,

and their latest venture is opening clinics around the country offering autism

treatment with the dangerous drug Lupron. Lupron alters levels of testosterone

and is sometimes used to chemically castrate sex offenders; no scientific

support exists for it to treat autism. To use it for autism has been called

irresponsible.

Wakefield and the Geiers are by no means the only offenders in the autism world.

They are just two examples of the probably thousands of impostors exploiting the

desperation of the autism community. The only solution will be a better

understanding on the part of the public of the principles of science, and a much

clear-cut and louder noise made by the legitimate scientific community.

Dr. Marvin J. Schissel is a dentist and an advisor to the American Council on

Science and Health, the National Council Against Health Fraud, and the Committee

for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal and has a son with

autism.