Government Concludes Vaccines Caused Autism

Here’s from a scientist’s review of the journalism:

To make a long story short, the child was diagnosed with an “encephalopathy progressed to persistent loss of previously acquired language, eye contact, and relatedness.” Ultimately, a metabolic disorder, specifically a mitochondrial disorder was suspected, and ultimately confirmed through genetic testing, which showed “a mitochondrial DNA (“mtDNA”) point mutation analysis revealed a single nucleotide change in the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (T2387C).” As part of her course, the child also developed a seizure disorder.

Ultimately, the government concession read:

   In sum, DVIC has concluded that the facts of this case meet the statutory criteria for demonstrating that the vaccinations CHILD received on July 19, 2000, significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder, which predisposed her to deficits in cellular energy metabolism, and manifested as a regressive encephalopathy with features of autism spectrum disorder. Therefore, respondent recommends that compensation be awarded to petitioners in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(c)(1)(C)(ii).

In other words, Kirby’s wrong when he implies that the government conceded that vaccines cause autism, and the ever-excitable Kent Heckenlively is totally wrong when he out and out says it. All the government conceded was that it is more likely than not (remember the “50% and a feather” rule) that vaccines aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder (almost certainly genetic) that manifested itself as a regressive encephalopathy that had features of ASD. Also remember the purpose of the VICP. It is not to determine whether or not vaccines cause autism; it is to compensate families whose children were injured by vaccines, regardless of what the specific injury is.

Much more here, especially if you follow the links. And this essay specifically discusses the current near-absence of thimerosol (the mercury compound) in childrens vaccines, and the concomitant rise of autism diagnoses.  If mercury toxicity is in any way related to autism or autism-like conditions (and there’s no evidence for that), it’s coming from some other source.

Here’s a recent report of a study looking at whether there’s some connection between a maternal immune system and autism — that is, whether there’s some sort of pre-natal cause. My private theory is that the rise in autism is somewhat connected to a rise in environmental pollutants, possibly in previous generations — but it’d be hard to collect that evidence.  

But the article that set you off is a case of bad science journalism. I’m sorry to see this on the front page.