Yesterday, I told you about the CDC's logic-defying defense of mercury in vaccines and how the agency still works behind the scenes to keep it there. Seems the absence of thimerosal (the mercury-based preservative) in childhood vaccines has coincided with a reversal in autism rates, according to a new study (free text link below).

Makes sense to me, considering a young child's average exposure to thimerosal dropped from 240 micrograms in 1999 to almost nothing four years later.

Of course, the CDC disputed the study, calling one of the databases researchers used in building its case from the California Department of Developmental Services "skewed" and not unlike "fluctuations in the stock market." When in doubt, always blame the messenger.

Although the blame game has worked for the longest time, patients are becoming more aware by the day. And, unfortunately, just as the veil is starting to lift, consumers will have no recourse to fight vaccine makers if American lawmakers declare a public health emergency, due to back door moves by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

Perhaps, it's not a great mystery why the Amish don't have autistic children...

Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons Spring 2006 Free Full Text Article

Association of American Physicians and Surgeons March 6, 2006