Autism and Vaccines - Excellent Commentary at Biology in Action

On the Biology in Action site Rebecca Baker, a biology student, offers an excellent commentary on vaccines and autism "Vaccines and Autism: Many Hypotheses, But No Correlation Found" making a point with which I am in complete agreement - there is a need for more research on the issue.

On one side the commentary is a bit shallow focusing on Jenny McCarthy but not mentioning Dr. Bernadine Healy or the Poling and Banks cases ( as the mainstream media also does). BUT in exploring the other side of the debate the blog author does not give Dr. Paul Offit the free ride he gets from the mainstream media and from "autism is beautiful", Offit worshipping blogs like Left Brain/Right Brain:

Based on the radically different studies on the topic, I think that this debate has just begun. More research must be done in order to come to a definite conclusion. While reading the article I found, I had several questions. Whenever Dr. Offit was discussing one of the hypotheses, he stated that he analyzed several studies that refuted the idea. He never specified which studies he looked at. It seemed as though he did not provide enough evidence to support his findings. Also, if some children show severe reactions to the vaccines, is it not possible some kids are allergic to the vaccinations, as I am to penicillin? Because I am not convinced by both sides of the argument, more research must be conducted.

The vaccine-autism debate could use more balanced, common sense commentary like that by Ms Baker at Biology in Action.

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Vaccine-Autism War: Will Beating Up Jenny and Oprah End the War?

From Newsweek to Discover online to the self appointed protectors of science who contend that any questioning of the safety of injecting substances containing mercury, aluminum and biological agents directly into the blood of young children on dozens of occasions constitutes "woo" the Offit Offensive has rolled out with a vengeance lashing out at Jenny McCarthy and Oprah Winfrey for the attention they bring to parents' concerns about vaccine safety. Will these vicious personal attacks convince those parents who have seen their children regress into autism after vaccination? I doubt it. I doubt it very much.

If the self styled anti-woo brigade really wants to persuade parents that their concerns about multiple injections of potentially toxic chemicals and biological agents into their children's bloodstream is risk free they should change course. Stop repeating the same failed tactics over and over and over again. Do the comparison study of vaccinated and unvaccinated populations that credible health authorities like Dr. Bernadine Healy, Dr. Julie Gerberding, Dr. Duane Alexander and neurologist, university professor, "autism dad" and successful vaccine autism litigant, Dr. Jon Poling have all said could and should be done.

Dr. Paul Offit and others should stop the silly name calling. You will change no minds with such foolishness. Stop playing in the "woo" and do the credible studies to change minds. If you want to stem the tide of concern over vaccine safety do the research that will convince people of vaccine safety .... or start accepting your own responsibility for continued public suspicion over the safety of vaccines.

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Vaccine-Autism War : Will Vaccine Safety Make A Comeback?

The Offit Offensive branding parents concerned about vaccine safety issues as kooks, dangerous to the public health, and suppressing democratic discussion of vaccine safety issues by attributing disease increases to parents expressing such concerns has been been unrelenting since the release of the vaccine patent holder's book False Prophets. David Kirby, one of those vilified by Offit for raising vaccine safety concerns, reports in the Huffington Post that the highly influential National Vaccine Advisory Committee has this past week made a number of vaccine safety research recommendations including two that focus on possible vaccine-autism connections. The Offit Offensive may finally meet an opponent it can not dismiss with demeaning insults and unproven allegations. The Offit Offensive may encounter open minded, credible study of vaccine safety issues.

One recommendation is for an "observational study comparing vaccinated, unvaccinated, and "alternatively vaccinated" groups of children for a number of immunological and neurological disorders -- including autism." A second panel recommendation that could include vaccine autism issues was that "Consideration should be given to broad biomedical research including laboratory studies, and animal studies."

Kirby also reports that the NVAC recommendations are subject to external review by an agency such as the IOM, the Institutes of Medicine. Unfortunately this could result in the implementation of recommendations being unduly delayed or scuttled completely. It was the same IOM that issued a 2004 report which expressly discouraged further research of vaccine autism issues.

Kirby attributes the NVAC recommendations to a number of sources without singling out the names of specific individuals. Personally I believe that three people deserve special credit for the vaccine safety issues being taken seriously. Jenny McCarthy, mocked and vilified, at times cruelly, for her campaign for vaccine safety acted as a lightning rod for media attention to the issues. Whether positive or negative the comments about Ms. McCarthy have kept the issue in the realm of public discussion. To the same effect David Kirby himself has been a powerful voice offering the skills and ability of a professional journalist to document the issue fully for public consumption. Neither Ms. McCarthy nor Mr. Kirby have buckled under to the immense pressure exerted by Dr. Offit and the medical establishment.

Ultimately though I believe that it is the input of Dr. Bernadine Healy that has had the most influence in arriving at the NVAC (and IACC) recommendations for further vaccine autism safety and general vaccine safety research. As the former head of the NIH Dr. Healy could not be dismissed as a crackpot. Her presentation of the need for further vaccine autism research was clear, cogent and compelling. She risked disenfranchisement from the medical and research establishments by pointing out the need for vaccine safety research. Her specific recommendations are clearly identifiable in the two NVAC recommendations above as well as her focus on vulnerable population subsets and the inadequacy of the epidemiological studies in examining the possible impact of vaccines on such groups.

The mainstream media is still enrolled in the Offit Offensive dismissing any need for vaccine safety research and dismissing as kooks anyone who suggests that there should be discussion and research of vaccine safety issues generally or vaccine autism issues specifically. The IACC strategic research plan and now the NVAC recommendations are powerful counter forces to the Offit offensive. Hopefully they will carry the day.

There should be no illusions though. The attempt to prevent research of vaccine autism safety issues is not over. The vaccine autism war is not over. The IOM, if it conducts an external review will be mindful, if not bound, by its own 2004 report discouraging the type of research recommended by the NVAC.

Look too for vaccine patent holder Dr. Paul Offit to step up his media tours demeaning those who dare ask questions of vaccine safety. Dr. Offit will once again don his "regular guy" flannel shirts and grandfatherly sweaters for interviews by adoring mainstream media. And Neurodiversity bloggers will be counted on to echo his demeaning characterizations of concerned parents around the world wide web.

If the IOM does do a replay of its 2004 strategy of discouraging serious research of vaccine safety issues it will be making a very big mistake. It is time to end the vaccine-autism war. Let the research be done, let the concerns be address and if those concerns are upheld or new ones found, let the vaccines and vaccine programs be adjusted accordingly.

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Vaccine-Autism War: National Post Junk Journalism Continues With Jenny McCarthy Attacks

Jenny McCarthy is an easy target.

For that reason the lazy, ill informed "journalists" at the National Post continue to attack Ms McCarthy in yet another doomed to fail attempt to quash public discussion of vaccine autism concerns. Meanwhile they continue to omit any reference to respected medical and research authorities like Dr. Bernadine Healey, Dr. Julie Gerberding, Dr. Duane Alexandre all of who have said that more research could and should be done on the issue. The junk journalists at the NP ignore Dr. Jon Poling a neurologist and father of an autistic child who brought a vaccine based autism claim to successful conclusion on behalf of his daughter when the government settled.

The NP despite having its attention brought to the Poling and Banks cases again omits any reference to these two cases in which it is known that the government settled vaccine autism claims. The NP omitted any reference to the IACC decision to include vaccine autism research in its strategic autism research planning. The NP omitted any reference to the criticisms of the epidemiological studies which are used to trumpet the position that the science has "decided" that vaccines do not cause or contribute to autism onset. The NP has omitted any reference to the well founded view that such studies do not examine the impact on vulnerable population subsets and possible connections to autism among such groups of children. The NP has omitted any reference to the fact that public health authorities have long discouraged the kinds of research that might disclose any vaccine autism connection.

In all fairness to the National Post Junk Journalists the issues listed above might be above their pay grade. Better for them to refrain from doing any real, hard journalism or any real, hard thinking.

Far better, and easier, to simply malign Jenny McCarthy. Of course those who actually know something about the subject and who want their concerns addressed will not be persuaded by such cheap, cowardly excuses for journalism

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Vaccine-Autism War: Jim Carrey Speaks and the Neurodiversity Hounds Howl

Jim Carrey, knowing full well the malicious attacks he would receive from the Neurodiversity "science" bloggers, (his partner Jenny McCarthy pushes the ND crowd into a full scale lather whenever she speaks) has expressed the very reasonable view that there are questions remaining to be answered about vaccines and their possible role in causing or triggering autism. The comment titled The Judgment on Vaccines Is In??? was published yesterday on the Huffington Post. In no time the Neurodiversity hounds were unleashed to smear and slime Mr. Carrey with irrelevant personal attacks and distorted summaries of the existing state of knowledge about vaccine and autism issues.

In less than 24 hours Kevin Leitch of lb/rb " fame" posted an attack piece on Opposing Views and his fellow Neurodiversity ideologue Orac posted his own hatchet job on his inappropriately named Respectful Insolence blog (there is nothing respectful about the manner in which Orac expresses his opinions about those who do not share his ND ideology). In fairness both ND bloggers do try to address some of the points made by Mr. Carrey but those points do not refute Mr. Carrey's assertion that the "judgment is not in" about vaccines and autism. The arguments they do make are lost in their sarcasm and anger. Mr. Leitch, under the apparent delusion that he is qualified to do so, even takes time to smear Dr. Bernadine Healy former NIH and American Red Cross head who has, like Mr. Carrey, pointed out the limits of the epidemiological studies relied on by Mr. Leitch and others as being conclusive and who has called for more research on possible vaccine autism connections.

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee has, after some false starts, quite properly indicated in its strategic plan for autism research that environmental issues, including possible vaccine autism issues, should be researched. Even if the IACC included vaccine autism research to placate those who question vaccine safety in connection with autism it is a step in the right direction.

The anger of Mr. Leitch, "Orac" and others who have closed their minds should not dissuade the IACC or anyone else with a genuine interest from trying to understand the ever rising autism epidemic that affects our children. Their very unscientific mindsets should not prevent the necessary research from being done.

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A Questionable Autism Partnership, Has Autism Speaks Sold Its Voice?

Autism Speaks has made tremendous contributions in raising autism awareness to a world level including helping to establish the first annual World Autism Awareness Day, April 2 by UN General Assembly Resolution. It's promotion of autism research has been a significant factor in spurring an Autism Knowledge Revolution. It has used the first class media savvy and connections of Bob and Suzanne Wright to help inform and educate citizens and public authorities around the world. I have been an admirer of Autism Speaks. My Camry even sports a blue Autism Speaks magnetic puzzle piece. But now comes news of a partnership between Autism Speaks and Nutricia North America, a company which produces hypoallergenic medical foods. "Under the partnership, Nutricia will sponsor 26 Walk Now for Autism events nationwide. The grassroots program is a signature fundraising for Autism Speaks". For me this raises questions and causes me to ask - has Autism Speaks sold its voice?

Nutricia's food products are used in gluten-casein free diets for autistic children. On a personal level I do not know if such diets are of any value in treating autistic children. I am not dismissive of Jenny McCarthy, or any parent, who asserts that such diets have helped their autistic children but to my knowledge such diets do not, at present, enjoy a solid professional evidence basis for their effectiveness in treating autistic disorders. In an October 29, 2007 press release for its report Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders the American Academy of Pediatrics stated:

“Many parents are interested in CAM treatments such as various vitamin and mineral supplements, chelation therapy, and diet restrictions. It’s important for pediatricians to maintain open communication and continue to work with these families even if there is disagreement about treatment choices, ” said co-author of the reports Scott M. Myers, MD, FAAP. “At the same time, it’s also important to critically evaluate the scientific evidence of effectiveness and risk of harm and convey this information to the families, just as one should for treatment with medication and for non-medical interventions.”

Although use of the gluten-free/casein-free diet for children with ASDs is popular, there is little evidence to support or refute this intervention. More studies are in progress, and it is anticipated that these studies will provide substantially more useful information regarding the efficacy of the gluten-free/casein-free diet.

Studies may eventually provide the evidence to support the claims of effectiveness of gluten-free/casein free diets but those studies should be as independent and objective as possible if they are to be persuasive. On this blog site you will not see any of the commercial advertising that is featured on larger, better known, autism/neurodiversity blogs such as Autism Vox and About.com:Autism. I choose to comment on autism free of the need to keep up visitor totals, Google or Technorati rankings, in order to generate advertising revenue. Such considerations can influence the content of what is posted.

Studies of the effectiveness of glutein/casein free diets in treating autism represent positive developments in seeking more treatment options for autism IF those studies remain free of undue influence. And IF the association in the public mind of such diets with Autism Speaks does not give them a free pass to acceptance as effective autism treatments without the evidence.

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Jenny McCarthy Honored for Autism Efforts

In news that might anger the Neurodiversity blogger bees Access Hollywood reports that actress Jenny McCarthy has been honored for her efforts towards autism. At the 2008 Gridiron Glamour event – a celebrity fashion show/benefit auction designed to raise money for autism research Ms McCarthy received the 2008 Trailblazer Award for the attention she has brought to autism with her book and for her honesty. The Gridiron Glamour event itself raises funds for autism research.

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Autism Mom Jenny McCarthy On Chicago Sun-Times Ten Women Who Inspired in 07 List

In a move that will undoubtedly provoke angry outbursts from Autism Hub bloggers the Chicago Sun-Times has named Autism Mom and Celebrity Autism Activist Jenny McCarthy as one of the The ten women who inspired us in '07. Paige Wiser and Lisa Donovan of the Sun-Times noted that:

Jenny McCarthy

The zany blond struck a serious note this year, going public with her son's autism diagnosis. Her book Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism was honest, informative, down-to-earth and sometimes painful. McCarthy took a gamble, going public with her problems and shattering her fantasy image. Mothers everywhere thank her.

I do not subscribe to Ms McCarthy's views about autism causes and treatments but I try to keep an open mind and science is not, despite the views of neurodiversity bloggers to the contrary, a process by which possibilities are closed forever. New evidence, new studies may well support her anecdotal evidence about autism cause and treatment.

I do admire Ms McCarthy for speaking out about her son's condition and her efforts to help him. She must have known that as a beautiful actress she would be subjected to scorn and ridicule in some corners for presuming to enter the public debate on issues that affect her son so profoundly. But she did it anyway and encouraged many other parents in doing so. And she probably brought more attention to autism disorders and autism issues than the entirety of the Autism Hub's neurodiversity bloggers will ever do in their lifetimes.

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Neurodiversity Bloggers Still Buzzing Over Jenny

In Jenny McCarthy Knocks Over Neurodiversity Hornet's Nest I commented on the intense reaction by Neurodiversity bloggers to Jenny McCarthy's autism advocacy, advocacy prompted by her own child's autism and her efforts to treat or cure her child of that autism. Although I do not share her views about autism treatments I am amazed at the ferocious reaction her comments have generated amongst Neurodiversity bloggers. Autism Vox and Orac are two Neurodiversity bloggers who just can't seem to get her out of their minds with each posting yet again about this well known autism mother who has dared to speak publicly about autism without reading from the NeuroDiversity Manual.

Jenny McCarthy Knocks Over Neurodiversity Hornet's Nest

As expected, Jenny McCarthy’s appearance on Oprah has stirred up the Internet’s Neurodiversity bloggers. During the past week they buzzed about in a paroxysm of sarcastic rage over Ms McCarthy's audacity in speaking out about autism. Some of the Neurodiversity commentary has been mean and snide. Some of it has been outright offensive.

Following is a list of Neurodiversity Hub bloggers who fell over themselves taking cheap shots at Ms. McCarthy and her views on the nature of autism, autism causes and cures. Some, like Mike Stanton, Educator, and Kristina Chew, Educator, Ph.D., felt compelled to belittle her more than once. Ms Chew in fact featured Ms McCarthy in no less than 7 of her commentaries over the past week. What will the Neurodiversity Hub bloggers ever do with themselves until the next autism appearance by Ms McCarthy?

Mike Stanton
Respectful Insolence
Autism Street
Left Brain/Right Brain (Kevin Leitch)
Natural Variation (Joseph)
Autism Diva
One Dad’s Opinion
Autism Vox

Although I do not share her views on autism cause and cure, I respect Ms. McCarthy for speaking up. As noted previously she may yet be proven right, and I may be proven wrong on our differing autism opinions. I have not subscribed to the dietary interventions for autism. But yesterday the Autism Canada conference focused on biomedical interventions with Dr. Derrick MacFabe of the UWO team that reported a gut-brain autism link, and Dr. Martha Herbert of Harvard Medical School. The conference also featured Dr. Wendy Edwards, a paediatrician and mother of an autistic child, who advocates the use of various biomedical treatments including dietary interventions. The Neurodiversity ideologues will have to come up with different ad hominem attacks to use against Dr. Edwards.

In Praise of Jenny McCarthy

I do not share Jenny McCarthy's views on the MMR vaccine and autism.

Nor do I believe that she any better able to assess the evidence or the scientific literature on the subject than any other parent of an autistic child. But she does have the gift of celebrity status, the power to command media attention and disseminate her views. And it is harder to get better media attention than to appear on Oprah Winfrey's show. Much more effectively than this humble small town blogger can do. Although I disagree with her views though, I admire her willingness to fight for her child. Ms McCarthy has not embraced the culture of defeat, the attraction of the sweet surrender, of giving in and convincing yourself that there is joy in autism, a profoundly disabling neurological disorder. For that refusal to imbibe the kool aid of the cult of defeat Ms McCarthy deserves credit.

In speaking out and expressing her views on MMR vaccines and autism Ms McCarthy surely knew that she would be the object of ridicule. Some of the commentary is snide, some of it is out and out mean spirited and belittles only those who offer it. A cheap shot artist is a cheap shot artist, whether they sport a Ph. D. or not. Ms McCarthy spoke out to express her beliefs in support of helping her child. A noble cause. And she, and Ms Winfrey who hosted her on her show, are nobler for fighting for that cause. As for Ms McCarthy's friend Jim Carrey I know what it means to be an autism dad by fate. Mr Carrey has freely chosen to take on that role and also earned my admiration.

I don't agree with Ms McCarthy's MMR autism views, although future evidence could still prove her right and me wrong. But I admire her fight for her child, and Ms Winfrey for helping and Mr Carrey for caring and taking on the challenge.

Well done; all three of you.