Vaccines didn't cause autism, court rules
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As a current event/legal issue this might belong in "A Moving Train", but I thought that I would get more action over here...
Vaccines didn't cause autism, court rules
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A special court ruled Thursday that evidence presented in three cases by parents of children with autism did not prove a link between autism and certain early childhood vaccines.
The ruling came from a panel of "special masters" who began hearing three test cases in 2007 involving children with autism -- a disorder that their parents contend was triggered by the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella combined with vaccines containing thimerosal, a preservative containing mercury.
Three families -- the Cedillos, the Hazelhursts and the Snyders -- sought compensation from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, but the panel ruled that they had not presented sufficient evidence to prove that the childhood vaccines caused autism in their children.
"I feel deep sympathy and admiration for the Cedillo family," Special Master George L. Hastings Jr. wrote in his ruling in the case involving 14-year-old Michelle Cedillo, who cannot speak, wears a diaper and requires round-the-clock monitoring in case she has a seizure.
"And I have no doubt that the families of countless other autistic children, families that cope every day with the tremendous challenges of caring for autistic children, are similarly deserving of sympathy and admiration. However, I must decide this case not on sentiment, but by analyzing the evidence," Hastings wrote. "In this case the evidence advanced by the petitioners has fallen far short of demonstrating such a link." VideoDr. Gupta: A look at the life of Michelle Cedillo »
In a statement shortly after the release of the decisions, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it continues to support research "to better understand the cause of autistic disorders and develop more effective methods of treatment."
However, "the medical and scientific communities ... have found no association between vaccines and autism."
"Hopefully, the determination by the Special Masters will help reassure parents that vaccines do not cause autism," the statement said.
Since 2001, thousands of parents of autistic children have filed petitions seeking compensation from the VICP at HHS. Visit CNNhealth.com, your connection to better living
By mid-2008, more than 5,300 cases had been filed in the program -- and 5,000 of those were still awaiting adjudication, according to the agency. VideoWatch Dr. Gupta discuss how court reached its decision »
A litigation steering committee is representing thousands of families that fall into three categories: those that claim that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine can combine with thimerosal-containing vaccines to cause autism; those who claim thimerosal-containing vaccines alone can cause autism; and those who claim that MMR vaccines, without any link to thimerosal, can cause autism.
Prior to the release of Thursday's rulings, an attorney for the families, Thomas Powers, said the expected rulings would affect only the families that fall under the first category.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/11/au ... topstories
Any thoughts about this?
We have a one year old who has been vaccinated on the normal schedule. None of the vaccines contain thimerosal, so that made us feel more comfortable about it.
Vaccines didn't cause autism, court rules
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A special court ruled Thursday that evidence presented in three cases by parents of children with autism did not prove a link between autism and certain early childhood vaccines.
The ruling came from a panel of "special masters" who began hearing three test cases in 2007 involving children with autism -- a disorder that their parents contend was triggered by the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella combined with vaccines containing thimerosal, a preservative containing mercury.
Three families -- the Cedillos, the Hazelhursts and the Snyders -- sought compensation from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, but the panel ruled that they had not presented sufficient evidence to prove that the childhood vaccines caused autism in their children.
"I feel deep sympathy and admiration for the Cedillo family," Special Master George L. Hastings Jr. wrote in his ruling in the case involving 14-year-old Michelle Cedillo, who cannot speak, wears a diaper and requires round-the-clock monitoring in case she has a seizure.
"And I have no doubt that the families of countless other autistic children, families that cope every day with the tremendous challenges of caring for autistic children, are similarly deserving of sympathy and admiration. However, I must decide this case not on sentiment, but by analyzing the evidence," Hastings wrote. "In this case the evidence advanced by the petitioners has fallen far short of demonstrating such a link." VideoDr. Gupta: A look at the life of Michelle Cedillo »
In a statement shortly after the release of the decisions, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it continues to support research "to better understand the cause of autistic disorders and develop more effective methods of treatment."
However, "the medical and scientific communities ... have found no association between vaccines and autism."
"Hopefully, the determination by the Special Masters will help reassure parents that vaccines do not cause autism," the statement said.
Since 2001, thousands of parents of autistic children have filed petitions seeking compensation from the VICP at HHS. Visit CNNhealth.com, your connection to better living
By mid-2008, more than 5,300 cases had been filed in the program -- and 5,000 of those were still awaiting adjudication, according to the agency. VideoWatch Dr. Gupta discuss how court reached its decision »
A litigation steering committee is representing thousands of families that fall into three categories: those that claim that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine can combine with thimerosal-containing vaccines to cause autism; those who claim thimerosal-containing vaccines alone can cause autism; and those who claim that MMR vaccines, without any link to thimerosal, can cause autism.
Prior to the release of Thursday's rulings, an attorney for the families, Thomas Powers, said the expected rulings would affect only the families that fall under the first category.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/11/au ... topstories
Any thoughts about this?
We have a one year old who has been vaccinated on the normal schedule. None of the vaccines contain thimerosal, so that made us feel more comfortable about it.
My whole life
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
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Comments
I have never read strong evidence that any vaccines are the cause of the spectrum.
My friends son is autistic.My friend was involved in research relating to in utero testosterone levels.There was a marked link with increased levels of tetosterone and children that were later diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum,this also linked to the percentage of boys on the spectrum far outweighs girls diagnosed.
In my career I have worked with 3 girls who had a autism diagnosis,yet I have worked with hundreds of boys.
My friend has also been involved in research of there being a possible increase of children conceived by IVF who are later diagnosed on the spectrum,this has been based on hormone levels.
There a number of common physical features of many,but not all,autistic children.They tend to be very beautiful almost cherubic in features,they have symetrical features,flat feet and round fleshy ears.They are quite physically beautiful.I have often heard comments on their stricking physical appearances.
Families face terrible social situations as the children appear "normal" almost beautiful,but their behaviour can be extremelley challenging.I have had some awful experiences when out with children and their families from other peoples ignorance and misunderstanding of the disorder.
The spectrum is quite literally that,the diagnosis takes on the wider spectrum of the disorder,however many children have adittional learning disabilities with autistic like behaviour.This is often where the link between bowel problems and life time incontinence and being non verbal communicators.
I believe autism has always existed like many other disorders.
I have had a career filled with humbling moments working with children with an autism spectrum diagnosis.Yes it can be an extremelley difficult disorder to manage,support and see the lighter days but the families I have known both personally and professionally have had one thing in common.Their children have brought so much to their lifes,even in the most difficult of darkest times,but they are their children first who happen to be on the autistic spectrum secondary.
We can't always find the cause of why something happens,nor should we.Rather we should embrace the different way the autistic mind works and support the children to make sense of the world.We need to enter their closed world to guide them into ours comfortably.
Thanks for posting.
stargirl...thanks for that post! was a truly fascinating read! i learned a lot about learning disabilities and the like in my studies, but long ago...and quite broadly....so it is so interesting to read some deeper insights from people with first-hand experience.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
No offense, but huh?? Of course we should find the cause, how else can we prevent it from happening? It's now 1 in 150 children. An epidemic.
I have a son who has autism and I am a nurse so I feel I'm a bit of an expert on the subject. I believe with 100% of my heart that vaccines ARE to blame for autism. I have heard the same story countless times from other parents...their child was developing normally, they got a vaccine, and the next day something went terribly wrong. How can that be a coincidence? I think we are giving our babies with their developing brains waaay too many vaccines in too short a period of time, causing their immune systems to go into overdrive. I don't think thimerosol or the MMR vaccine are specifically to blame, just too many vaccines in general. I think certain kids are genetically predisposed to autoimmune diseases and these are the ones who are affected.
Please remember that the pharmaceutical companies have a LOT of money to play with. They made 1 billion dollars last year from the hepatitis B vaccine alone. This is a lot of money to play with on lawyers and their own bogus studies and such.
As a nurse, and as a mother, I am NOT anti-vaccine. Obviously they have saved millions of lives through the years. I just think we need to be more responsible with them.
we definitely need to find the cause...I've also heard the same story you have. there's something to be said about the increased number of children with autism and the amount of required vaccines that they are given. my brother refused some vaccines for my niece, siting "religious reasons" and spaced out others over a year or two. It just seems like such a safer way to go...I mean, how can putting all of those tings into a baby be healthy??
Whatever you are, be a good one --Lincoln