Controversial Study Reignites Debate Over Autism and Childhood Vaccines

"Controversial Study Reignites Debate Over Autism and Childhood Vaccines"

Wall Street Journal (09/07/04) P. D1; Parker-Pope, Tara

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Just months after the U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report refuting claims that thimerosal, an ethyl-mercury compound used in vaccines, can cause autism in children, a congressional committee is now set to consider a study conducted on mice at Columbia University that finds new evidence of a possible link between vaccines and autism.

In addition to resurrecting the long-standing debate, the new study raises concerns over childhood flu shots, the majority of which still contain thimerosal. Following earlier studies that appeared to establish a link between vaccines containing thimerosal and the development of autism, many parents have called for the removal of the preservative, which is a non-essential ingredient, from childhood vaccines.

Despite the IOM's recent findings, some critics of thimerosal, including Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), are still asking manufacturers and doctors to stop including thimerosal in vaccines.

The new Columbia University research appears to bolster their arguments, since it shows a possible link between thimerosal and an increased risk of autism-like developmental problems in a strain of mice genetically susceptible to mercury. However, it is still unclear whether the research can legitimately be applied to humans.

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