The number of children diagnosed with autism has raised dramatically in recent years, from 1 in 10,000 American children in the 1970s to 1 in 150 today (according to the Center for Disease Control). The reason for this increase is unclear. A widespread theory is that the rise in incidence is due to a combination of improved diagnostic methods in conjunction with environmental factors.
One of the most commonly suspected environmental factors is mercury. The metal is a major ingredient in thimerosol, which is a preservative used to increase the shelf life of vaccinations. According to the Journal of Toxicology (Volume 22, Number 4, July-August 2003), “rates of autism have increased sharply in the US. One possible factor underlying these increases is the increased exposure to mercury through thimerosol-containing vaccines.”
Some scientific data indicates that those children who are affected by the mercury in vaccines may have a genetic predisposition that does not allow the child to detoxify themselves of any heavy metals that enter their bodies. In fact, mercury poisoning shares many symptoms with autism, including loss of speech, self stimulatory behavior, lack of coordination, mood swings, mental disturbances, social withdrawal, and anxiety, to name a few.
There is not, however, universal agreement on the issue. The Centers for Disease Control and the Federal Drug Administration have stated that there is no link between mercury and autism. And while a number of private organizations and government agencies have called into question the research of the CDC and FDA, it is clear that more must be done to study this issue.
While there is little agreement on the many issues surrounding autism, one thing is certain: there is an abundance of information available on the Internet and in scientific and medical writings for parents who are concerned about the issue. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of parents to decide, in conjunction with their pediatricians, whether their children may be at risk, and if so, how to protect them.
For more information:
http://www.autism.com/ariBooks to Read:
Children with Starving Brains by Dr. Jaquelyn McCandless
Evidence of Harm by David Kirby
