Notes From the Big "Anti-Vaccine" Conference

Last weekend, the Autism One organization held its annual conference in Chicago, attended by thousands of parents, doctors, educators and others, to discuss a wide array of autism-related issues. The New York Times labeled it an "anti-vaccine" conference and the Chicago Tribune portrayed it as a freak-show spectacle straight off the island of Dr. Moreau.

Yes, there was some discussion of vaccines - and some admittedly unconventional, and controversial, autism therapies. But there was so much more than that. Out of nearly 150 presentations, only a few dealt directly with vaccines at all. Most of the days were filled with topics such as "Creating Theater with Autism Spectrum Youth," "Epilepsy in Autism: An Overview," and "Perspectives from cell biology and autism risk factors and treatments," a fascinating talk by the forward-thinking Dr. Mark Noble, Professor of Genetics and Neurobiology and Anatomy at the University of Rochester.

My own remarks dealt with vaccines, and so much more as well, including environmental mercury, wild-type viruses, tainted food, air pollution, pesticides, arsenic, antimony, formaldehyde in household products, even pet shampoo.

I believe that most ASD cases have environmental triggers (probably more than one) that activate certain genetic predispositions (again, probably more than one) and create some of the symptoms that we call "autism." I also believe that vaccines may have played a role in triggering some - though certainly not all - cases of regressive autism. Even if that number is a small minority, it seems sensible to me to study the mechanism of action, in hopes of finding clues to the development of autism in all those other children.

Because my own interest in the cause of autism extends well beyond thimerosal, MMR vaccine, or the immunization program itself, I chose to speak about three potential factors in autism - metals, myelin (which coats the brain and nerve cells) and mitochondria - that could possibly trigger the disorder, with or without the involvement of vaccines or vaccine components.

I believe that the study of environmental triggers - other than vaccines - can provide some sorely needed middle ground in what has turned out to be one of the most contentious and vitriolic issues of our day. That doesn't mean that research into genes - or vaccines - should or would stop. But it might provide for a way forward from here.

Most reasonable people agree that autism has an environmental component. Recent analyses from California show that widening diagnostic criteria are not responsible for the explosive growth in autism cases in that state.

And stay tuned for new numbers coming out of the US Military that will shatter the current national estimate of 1-in-150 kids - which, by the way, was calculated in 2002, by analyzing children born in 1994. That's right, our most current CDC autism statistics are seven years old, and describe people who are now at least 15 years of age. The CDC cannot even tell us when it might finish analyzing its 2004 data - on children born in 1996 - though it knows exactly how many H1N1 cases are in, say, California today.

As I said in my remarks, these are just my own personal musings, spoken out loud. I offer proof of nothing, and answers to no questions. I draw no conclusions. My only point is that, if we are going to find the actual environmental triggers to autism, we had better get busy. Heavy metals, damage to myelin, and the role of mitochondria are just three of the many, many areas where I believe that Federal research dollars should be targeted.

I am sure that this modest proposal will spark the usual hew and cry from the usual gallery of reactionaries - one of whom just wrote at Daily Kos that, even if all autism cases were caused by vaccines, there would be no reason to alter or even examine the immunization program.

People who ask questions about vaccine safety are now being called "pro-disease." Some are supporting censorship of any talk about vaccines and autism. Yet many of these same voices balk and squawk at the very idea of researching potential factors like mercury from coal, live viruses, pesticides, aluminum, formaldehyde, jet fuel and many other toxins.

That mystifies me. If science could pinpoint the exact triggers that produce autism - and they had nothing do with vaccines - this debate would end, as far as I am concerned, and happily so.

METALS, MYELIN & MITOCHONDRIA - PATHWAYS TO AUTISM? -- Remarks by David Kirby, Autism One, Chicago, May 2009

I first want to say that this conference was described by The New York Times as "an anti-vaccine conference." And, you know, when I read that I actually laughed out loud. And I thought, "What would you even do at an anti-vaccine conference, anyway?" And I know there are some people in this audience who are anti-vaccine, and they have that right. I just don't happen to be one of those people.

The reason I get upset at being called "anti-vaccine" is that, A), it's untrue, and B), I do think vaccines are important. And I think we can vaccinate more safely than we do in this country. But the label is used as a weapon. It is used as a tool against people like me. And even though it's a lie, it is so much easier to dismiss somebody if you think that they're anti-vaccine. "He's a kook. He's a nut. He doesn't know what he's talking about."

And now we're into the rhetoric that has gotten so heated that people like me are called "pro-disease." It's like Karl Rove is writing the playbook for these people. Because it's gotten that political, it's gotten that nasty. So, I'm going to fight back against that label.

This is not an "anti-vaccine conference." There's a discussion tonight about athletics in autism, and one on relationships in autism.

And we are here to talk about a lot more than vaccines. And that's sort of the theme of my speech, too. Because for quite a while now, I have believed there are many, many different ways to get to what we call "autism." And I think we really need to step back from vaccines, we need to step back from Thimerosal, we need to step back from MMR and other specific vaccine components. We need to work backwards and look at the world in its entirety. We need to look at food, air, water, and medicine. And by medicine, yes, that would include vaccines.

Now, the Obama administration just announced they're going to have a national meeting on toxins; and how toxins affect people. And that's exactly where I think this conversation should go. I'm ready for a little middle ground. I'm really tired of the screaming back and forth, you know. We need to find out what's making these kids sick. And I think there's more consensus now that something in the environment or some things in the environment are contributing to that.

So let's look at those things in a more general sense. And that's where - I think - it gets really, really interesting, and where we may find some common ground in science - that there are things in nature that are triggers for autism. I truly believe there are things in the environment that can trigger autism that have nothing to do with vaccines.

I am just a journalist, I'm a layperson, so I view things in a slightly different way than scientists. And I have the luxury of doing that because I get to, you know, play around with theories a little bit, ask different kinds of questions and try to see connections between different things.

And when I look at the situation, I think we've moved way past thimerosal as the one and only cause of autism. And I've just picked three possible routes - Metals, Myelin & Mitochondria - that we'll be talking about tonight. Now, you could make up a very, very long list of potential pathways to autism. But what's so interesting about these three pathways -- and remember, this is all just theory, this is just me, kind of musing out loud -- is that they're found in the natural environmental, or the man-made environment, and they're also found in vaccines.

The other thing that's interesting about these three things is they're interactive. So you might have metals as a contributing factor to autism, but you can't separate that entirely from the fact that metals can also destroy myelin. Metals can destroy mitochondria. They're all interrelated. And I think that we should look at ALL metals. And I think one reason that we haven't looked at all metals is because two of those metals happen to be aluminum and mercury, and those metals also happen to appear in childhood vaccines. If there never was mercury in vaccines, I can pretty much state that we would be much further along at this point in researching heavy metals in autism.

The same with live viruses. Measles virus can affect myelin as a matter of fact. Well, there is live measles virus in the MMR vaccine. Maybe that's one reason why there's been some reluctance to look more carefully into how viruses might be triggers of autism.

And the same is true of mitochondrial dysfunction and overstimulation of the immune system - all sorts of things can happen in that situation. And it does happen in nature - a lot. But talk with Jon and Teri Poling, and you'll find out it can also happen when you give a child nine vaccines in one day.

So maybe what it might take to try to find some middle ground and move research forward is to just put - even for a day - vaccines aside. And let's just look at metals. And let's just look at myelin damage - what can damage myelin. And let's look at mitochondria - and many, many other things.

But I am here to discuss these three things. And, I am not here to give you any answers. I don't have any answers. My job is to ask the questions. I also draw no conclusions. But my message to you is this: If I were running the show, and if I were dishing out the research dollars, these are some of the areas that I would be pursuing, posthaste. And if I were a scientist, these are some of the things that I would be wanting to study with federal money, including some money coming into the NIH right now.

The rest of the transcript, with slides, has been posted here:

Comments

[autismsolutioncenter]

(con't)

I, for one, am truly tired of being called out on the carpet for our questions and views, when there are no opposing answers even being offered. This is what I say often:

"Bottom line, don't care what your studies say, (let's face it, we can make studies say anything we want) at the end of the day, are the children getting better or not? If the answer is no, then you better change what you're doing. More of the same is not going to change the outcome. The outcry of lack of science supporting the autism community's assertions is being met with an equally lacking scientific basis for the denial of such. This is just mud slinging and unfortunately, our children are the ones getting the the muddiest."

David, I can't wait for the day that we are vindicated. History shows that time is the teller of all truth and time is on our side on this one. Unfortunately, it's not on the side of the children caught in the middle of this mud sling, who lose more and more time to inflated egos and politics.

Let's hope some real progress starts being made, though I'm not placing my bets in that direction just yet.

Your fellow whacko,

Laura Corby :)

[AutismNewsBeat]

"History shows that time is the teller of all truth and time is on our side on this one."

So if we just wait longer spontaneous generation and alchemy will be vindicated? What are we talking about here - decades? Centuries?

[CraigWilloughby]

Your insulting comment is unnecessary and completely out of line.

[xtina8o4]

Is there a valid reason you feel the need to be so rude?

[ObjectiveAutismDad]

The point was that we need to do something to address the affliction of these children. Next time read the whole thing and try to comprehend. Oh, and try not to be snide.

[AutismNewsBeat]

Is there any reason your side should have some special dispensation to make wild, baseless observations, and then whine when somebody calls you on it? Instead of complaining about my manners, why don't you explain how all claims are eventually proven correct, given enough time? If you can't play by the rules, then you should go back to your playpen at AoA, where dissent isn't allowed in the door.

[AutismNewsBeat]

What is this, an intervention?

[autismsolutioncenter]

Hey David!

As usual, right on the mark! As I read through some of the comments below, I can't help but marvel at the wasted energy still being summoned up to throw everyone who does not agree with the politically correct, mainstream media, pharma, and medical community straight into the whacko camp!

As a fellow whacko, your musings should be stirring something other than controversy. Perhaps a few brain cells within the non-whacko camps! It does not take epidemiological studies to know that something is VERY wrong within these increased and epidemic autism numbers, and what is currently seen as appropriate intervention by the non-whacko's is just plain not touching the problem. We can say whatever we like, but the bottom line is this, WHAT'S BEING DONE IS NOT WORKING AND WE BETTER START LOOKING FOR PLANS B, C, D, E & F. In 10 - 15 years, even if we continue to stick to the conservative numbers of 1 in 150, when 1 in 150 adults are on the long-term care rolls at tax payer expense, this is going to bankrupt our economy. It's unfortunate, it's horrible, but most importantly, it's unnecessary, when we know that the majority of these individuals COULD be getting better under the care of the whacko camp! LOL!

(con't)

[AutismNewsBeat]

"It does not take epidemiological studies to know that something is VERY wrong within these increased and epidemic autism numbers.."

How would you determine increasing incidence without the tools that epidemiology provides?

How do you differentiate between "increased numbers" and "epidemic numbers"? How do you define epidemic?

Thanks!

[tiyanasmom]

David,
I'm a big fan of your work, but I wish you'd pay a little attention to the effects of wireless radiation on our children. You repeatedly mention jet fuel, but rarely note the effects of cell phones or other wireless devices. The scientific evidence out there is greater than that of vaccines. Please check it out!

[foe2Hg]

Can you comment on how the first 11 cases that Dr. Leo Kanner identified as being autistic in his 1943 paper, would have come into contact with cell phones and wireless devices?

Teresa Conrick

[kwombles]

How nice to connect this identity with your AoA identity. We've tangoed before, did you know that? I am sure we will again, as well. Here's to pleasant dancing, Theresa.

[AutismNewsBeat]

I thing what tiyanasmam is trying to say is that her remarks are just her own personal musings, spoken out loud. She offers proof of nothing, and answers to no questions. She draws no conclusions, other than that short, declarative statements, no matter how inane, can sound profound when you string a bunch of them together.

[CraigWilloughby]

Good to see that you acknowledge that this is exactly what you are doing, Kenny-boy. Good job!

Now, if we can get you to have a discussion without insulting and bullying, you may just be allowed to go out in public!

[AngelaWarner]

FOR jhamm1

You are a pompus something or other. If you were paying any attention at all to this issue you would know EXACTLY what David is referring to regarding the California analysis.

To soothe your ignorance, I've included the link, just for you. I suggest you educate yourself and read it before you spout off again.

http://www.dds.ca.gov/Autism/docs/AutismReport_2007.pdf

[AutismNewsBeat]

Recent analyses from California show that widening diagnostic criteria are not responsible for the explosive growth in autism cases in that state.

I don't know anyone who says widening criteria alone is responsible for an increase in ASD prevalence, but I understand how someone who admittedly "offers proof of nothing" would make such a statement.

[CraigWilloughby]

"I don't know anyone who says widening criteria alone is responsible for an increase in ASD prevalence,"

See Paul Offit

[AutismNewsBeat]

The vast majority of the autism increase in CDDS is not due to kids with intellectual disability. Also, in California special ed, there's no decline in MR as a "preferred category" either.

[RimlandFanWA]

jHamm1 said: “I've had my full of journalist­s....I'll take the collective word of the vast majority of medical professionals over yours, any day.
Hey, --> pssssttt..­.., the same "majority of medical professionals" you refer to can't even diagnose autism. Per "those medical professionals" at John Hopkins- in a 2006 study- only 8% of pediatricians know how to screen for autism. How are they supposed to advise the public when 92% don't even know what it looks like? The "majority" (AAP, CDC) claimed the connection between ADHD & food dye was junk science for decades, but low & behold, enough studies were done to refute their stance, & they retracted their position in their own jounal- just LAST YEAR.

As for "what, praytell, California Analysts", Time to catch up on your reading. I doubt Calif DOH could be referred to as a " vague and alleged source", since they are the renowned experts in counting autism: Go google this:

*Investigation of Shifts in Autism Reporting in the California Department of Developmental Services*.

Grether JK, Rosen NJ, Smith KS, Croen LA., California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, P-3, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA, Judith.gre­ther@ cdph.ca.gov.

[AutismNewsBeat]

Indeed, time to catch up on your reading. Information presented in the CDDS report is purely descriptive and cannot be reliably used to draw scientifically valid conclusions about ASD prevalence in California. The numbers reflect "point-in-time counts" which are poor substitutes for formal epidemiological measures of prevalence. Also, entry into and exit from California’s developmental services system is voluntary, so the same case can actually be counted two or more times.

Mr. Kirby is cherry picking data, per usual.

[AngelaWarner]

Cherry picking data??? Isn't that EXACTLY what the CDC did for the 1 in 150 number that is OUTDATED?

I just broke a promise to myself (I'm allowed it was to me) because I know who you are... BUT what are you gonna say when the military numbers break? That they're cherry picked? I doubt it buddy. I'm sure you'll have an issue with it, but it's better than the bogus cherry picked study the CDC did. It just might be EXACTLY what you claim you're looking for!!!

Now just go back into your little corner and sit on your hands and wait patiently. You'll hear about it when it's time.

[Twyla]

ANB, face it. Legitimate studies show that the rate of autism has increased tremendously (e.g. http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2009/february/autism-rates.cfm ). This is backed up by school statistics, the experiences and memories of anyone over 40 years old, the experiences and memories of professionals such as teachers and psychologists who have been working many years, the fact that nobody has been able to find the "hidden hoard" of adults with autism -- sure there are some, but not anywhere near 1 in 150.

You can just sit in your little world nitpicking, but that will not change the obvious, which is going to become more and more obvious as our kids grow up and we parents die off and the government and siblings will be trying to care for many thousands of adults with autism -- not just the computer geek kind, but people who cannot speak in complete sentences, drive a car, tie their shoes, hold a job, go grocery shopping, live independently, cross the street....

[foe2Hg]

ANB - you know you are losing this debate and your flismy responses here are quite evident to that fact.

from the study-

J Autism Dev Disord. 2009 May 29. [Epub ahead of print]
Investigation of Shifts in Autism Reporting in the California Department of Developmental Services.
Grether JK, Rosen NJ, Smith KS, Croen LA.
California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, P-3, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA, Judith.gre­ther@ cdph.ca.gov.

"These results indicate that changes in DDS coding practices are unlikely to explain the increase in DDS clients with autism."

[amdachel]

David,
Great job.
How much longer will officials continue with the denials, pharma-funded studies, and worthless statistics that don't come close to telling us the true level of the autism disaster?
I can answer that!...
We'll finally stop listening to the agency with no answers...­the one that runs the vaccine program, when the generation of children with autism becomes the generation of dependent adults costing everyone billions and billions of dollars with no end in sight.
THEN and only then will the public wake up to the reality of autism's impact.
Suddenly, we'll be desperate for answers and countless parents everywhere will be there to tell what vaccines did to their children. Believe me, we'll be taken seriously.
Anne Dachel
Age of Autism http://www.rescuepost.com/age_of_autism/

[kwombles]

You're taken seriously, but not in the way you would prefer. Your words aren't going unnoticed and will be countered with factual, scientifically accurate information.

[foe2Hg]

kwombles- I believe I know you from AoA. Are you doing the countering or are you just making the prediction?

[Twyla]

OK, I think you said that you did provide scientific info, and you will provide scientific info, but apparently there is some reason why you can't provide scientific info today?

[dugmaze]

David,
Thanks from the bottom of my family's heart.

[dugmaze]

" If science could pinpoint the exact triggers that produce autism - and they had nothing do with vaccines - this debate would end, as far as I am concerned"

Excellent point.

I wonder why the vaccine makers and the government agencies protecting them don't prove that vaccines are safe?

[AutismNewsBeat]

Two points to your question:

First, nothing is safe. Everything has risk. The issue is whether the risk of preventable disease far outweighs the risk of being vaccinated. On that point, the science is clear.

Second, you are demanding that scientists prove a negative. That is not possible. Vaccine safety studies look for associations, and if none are found, the most that can be concluded is that no evidence has been found to support a link between vaccines and autism. Study after study, over 30 in all conducted over two decades on three continents have found no support.

[ObjectiveAutismDad]

"On that point, the science is clear." Only if you ignore the half of the science that disagrees with ANB.

[Josephius]

"Yet many of these same voices balk and squawk at the very idea of researching potential factors like mercury from coal, live viruses, pesticides, aluminum, formaldehyde, jet fuel and many other toxins."

I doubt anyone is really against it. The problem concerning this issue...wh­ich is NEVER addressed on postings, such as this, is how any single one of these possible contributors would cause such specific damage, to a very specific part of the brain, involved with social behaviors. If it is mitochondria or myelin, then all cells would be adversely affected (mitochondria) or all neurons, including motor neurons or sensory neurons. There's all this talk of correlations and possible relationships, but a huge gaping hole when describing the mechanism.

Ask yourself, what is happening to the brain (the specific part, not the whole thing) that leads to ASDs. People classified as being on the spectrum do not have the same mental attributes as those with Down syndrome or mental retardation. They are not classifies based on hallucinations or an inability to remember. They can walk. They can feel (emotions and sensory stimuli). A VERY specific aspect of brain function is not present...­how can the "toxin" explanation address this?

[AutismNewsBeat]

Mr. Kirby already admitted he has no proof of anything. I think it is fair to say he is baselessly speculating about vaccine safety in a way that needlessly concerns parents. That doesn't make him anti-vaccine, just uniformed.

Got it now? Me neither.

[Twyla]

For a good description of one mechanism, read the Bailey Banks decision at http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/BANKS_CASE.pdf

[AutismNewsBeat]

You do realize the Baily Banks case was a legal decision, not medical?

[Josephius]

Ha! No, common. I mean really, answer the question!!!! That's laughable! Reference the scientific literature that explains the mechanism. At his point, most researchers in this field will be fully investigating this lead (that you supposedly know all albout). Please. Indulge us.

[mlinn]

Josephius, you are obviously someone who is not keeping up with the latest autism research. Check out the work of Dr. Martha Herbert (from Harvard) and others from Johns Hopkins who are looking at a variety of brain and whole body system insults that lead to the behaviors we categorize as autism. Their research is showing that environmental insults and toxins are very plausible in impacting function at the cellular level, which then in turn result in neurological impairment. It may be the "whole thing" and how parts of the brain can or cannot communicate with one another.

[AutismNewsBeat]

Unreplicated, speculative studies? Why didn't you say so.

[Josephius]

Oh, I am very aware of her work : http://www.marthaherbert.com/biography1.html

But nothing...­NOTHING of what she has published addresses the questions I've asked. So I will ask you again to (kindly) answer my question. Answer it!

[Josephius]

DK said: "I believe that most ASD cases have environmental triggers (probably more than one) that activate certain genetic predispositions (again, probably more than one) and create some of the symptoms that we call "autism"."

List of some environmental triggers DK provided: "environmental mercury, wild-type viruses, tainted food, air pollution, pesticides, arsenic, antimony, formaldehyde in household products, even pet shampoo".

So, my question is this: why is (psychological) stress not included in your list (or those of anyone claiming environmental triggers)? We are dealing with the brain which, in addition to many functions, deals with input stimuli, cognitive function, memory, and stress responses. What has happened for stress to be eliminated as a possible culprit as one of the "environmental triggers".

As an example, look at the correlation with stresses and (psychological) trauma that often precedes the onset of schizophrenia in teens/adults. One day they are "normal", a period or instance of stress/trauma occurs, then the behaviors/symptoms manifest and they are diagnoses as schizophrenic.

[Twyla]

And you think WE are speculating with insufficient evidence?

Oh, yeah -- let's ignore the thousands of parents who report regression into autism following vaccine reactions. Let's ignore the correlation between rising rates of autism and huge increases in the numbers of vaccines given to babies. Let's ignore the parents who report (and document with videos, diagnostic reports, school reports, etc.) their kids recovering from autism with biomedical treatments. Lets ignore studies showing high rates of autoimmune disorders in families of people with autism, and autoantibodies against myelin basic protein, and imbalance between Th-1 and Th-2 cells, and inflammatory cytokines in spinal fluid. But let's pursue a hypothesis dreamed up by Josephius -- he has such an imagination!

[Josephius]

There's no speculation here. I'm not proposing any theories. It's just an observation that needs someone...­anyone, to address! Spare me (and everyone else) the story. ANSWER the question! WHY! Answer the question!

[AutismNewsBeat]

"...the parents who report (and document with videos, diagnostic reports, school reports, etc.) their kids recovering from autism with biomedical treatments­."

That's exciting news, since nowhere in the medical literature do we find verifiable reports of recovery from autism. So when will these documented cases be written up and presented in a high-impact, peer-reviewed medical journal? Can somebody say "Nobel Prize in Medicine"?

[autismnostrum]

I would love to see these reports and the documentation. That isn't snark. I've seen a few videos with rapid cuts and overdubbed music or video slide shows, but I haven't seen anyone posting long videos where you could really tell if a child was exhibiting signs of autism. Hell, even Jenny McCarthy doesn't release long clips.

[AngelaWarner]

Oh David, I just love you! ;) It was truly a pleasure to meet with you, and it will be shattering when we get the info, and as one in this (military spouse) and working on it, I will say scary and disturbing as well. No doubt the numbers will correllate with the Dept. of Ed. stats, and show just how asleep at the wheel the CDC has been when it comes to autism. Especially in light of your point that they can tell us how many cases of swine flu and exactly where... I think they've hung themselves.

Thank you David. You are a Warrior for our children!!!

[Rileysmom1204]

***********This is why I just love you David...Th­anks again!!!**­**********­**

Mr Kirby states:
And stay tuned for new numbers coming out of the US Military that will shatter the current national estimate of 1-in-150 kids - which, by the way, was calculated in 2002, by analyzing children born in 1994. That's right, our most current CDC autism statistics are seven years old, and describe people who are now at least 15 years of age. The CDC cannot even tell us when it might finish analyzing its 2004 data - on children born in 1996 - though it knows exactly how many H1N1 cases are in, say, California today.

[Shirley Fisk]

6/1/09
7:11pm
Alexandria,VA

when.I.wrote.a.paper.about.autism.last.year.at.University.ofr.about.autism.last.year.at.University.of.Oregon.
This.is.ridiculous.

[AutismNewsBeat]

Huh? Several epidemiological studies since 2002 have provided ~1:150 estimates, plus several that show 1 in 100. Most experts (as opposed to manque journalists) say the prevalence is closer to 1 in 100. Mr. Kirby is telling his fans to be ready for something which is already old news.

[ObjectiveAutismDad]

So why hasn't the CDC released their more current figures?

[Shelley Hendrix Reynolds - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes BlackJAC. We are. I am still asking because I have been asking questions for 10+ years and I still don't have answers to my questions. Because there is still a valid hypothesis on the table and that is how science works. Luckily, there are a lot of people asking just the same question. Just because something is difficult to prove, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. We continue to evolve in our knowledge of life, the universe and everything. That's why we don't still have people throwing fits screaming red in the face about geocentricity. Imagine that. One of those crazy loons was right. We revolve around the sun. Thanks David, as always.

[Josephius]

And what hypothesis is that? How many instances has your hypothesis been examined?

BlackJAC's point is that there is a difference from examining a hypothesis and beating a dead horse. Hey, do the research! I'm the biggest advocate for good, solid well designed experiments and publication of the results in peer-reviewed journals. But we know the difference between good science and people (such as some notable journalists) who write specious reports in non-science publications and on websites in an effort to further a cause (and that cause is not the pursuit of an understanding through the scientific method).

[Twyla]

Yeah, Josephius, we really wish more research would be done. Some research is being done, showing immune system abnormalities, inflammation in the brain, and low glutathione among people with autism, for example.

Dr. Martha Herbert has a new web site: http://www.marthaherbert.com/

David Kirby referenced quite a bit of very interesting research in his Autism One talk which he links to above.

A lot more research should and could be done, but unfortunately there is tremendous resistance, because of tremendous vested interests in our current vaccine program. See http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/12/cbsnews_investigates/main4086809.shtml .

So cut all the condescension -- it's inconstent with reality.

[AutismNewsBeat]

Are you confusing geocentricity with heliocentricity? I understand that you have an orange accent on your textbox and are therefore a person to be taken seriously. But I've read your sentence five times and I think you don't know the difference. I hope I'm wrong, because this is starting to shake my confidence in Huffington Post science bloggers. You have very big shoes to fill - Gordon. McCarthy. Stagliano. Carey. Think of the children!!!

[CraigWilloughby]

Are you sure you're a journalist, Kenny? I read her comment and was able to determine exactly what she was saying. Geocentricity, in case you don't know, was the belief that the earth was the center of the universe, and it was the concensus of the time. Heliocentricity was theorized by Copernicus and later Galileo, and both of them were ostracised and nearly burned at the stake for the theory. Really, Kenny, if you expect us to take you seriously, perhaps you should learn to read.

[saami]

Something that has changed dramatically in the past 50 years is the use of many thousands of chemicals that we have no idea how they effect us or how they interact and effect us. We are one big science experiment.

[AutismNewsBeat]

Something that has changed dramatically in the last 15 years is the explosive growth of the internet, enabling like minded conspiracy theorists to compare notes and cheer on declining vaccination rates.

[kwombles]

Has anybody considered the correlation between increased internet usage and increased autism rates? Seriously, I mean, there's certainly a positive correlation there. Where there is correlation there is causation, right?

Oh, that's right. Not necessarily. Because correlation does not equal causation and anecdote does not equal data. And testimonials are not evidentiary. They are a starting point, but only the starting point of science. Just because you have a number, large or otherwise, insisting on the validity of their recollections or experience does not make it accurate.

After all, a bunch of men insisting they have koro doesn't make it real, does it?

[isjois]

Who is cheering on declining vaccination rates? How ridiculuous.

Many of the "anti-vaccinators" that are being attacked were once the most "pro-vaccine" parents in our country. Personally, I can say that until both of my children became disabled from their vaccines, there wasn't a vaccine that I wouldn't support. If a doctor suggested it, then it was given. It's really a bit embarassing now - the naivete of blindly trusting my doctors.

And, here on this site, so many want to focus on name calling and finding themselves so funny and clever, instead of helping all of these innocent children..­.and our society a few years down the road when these kids all need social security and other social programs to survive. Will you still be laughing then...whe­n we're a third world nation begging other countries to loan us money to care for our "sick" citizens?

[abitcrunchy]

Add to that all the pharmaceuticals people are using today...

[jhamm1]

"Most reasonable people agree that autism has an environmental component. Recent analyses from California show that widening diagnostic criteria are not responsible for the explosive growth in autism cases in that state. "

"Reasonable people" as in people who concur with your analysis on the basis of heresay and with comperable propensity to discard scientific evidence in favor of what they and you want to believe.

And what, praytel, "California analysis" could you possibly be referring to? NAturally, most of us have learned to recognize the biggest tell-tail signs of deceptions as composed of citing vague and alleged source material which are never specified.

I've had my full of journalists appointing themselves as experts in fields which they are far from qualified to evaluate and quite frankly, I'll take the collective word of the vast majority of medical professionals over yours, any day.

[typicalpol]

"I'll take the collective word of the vast majority of medical professionals over yours, any day."

That worked well for the tobacco companies. well for awhile that is.

[Josephius]

That's right! It worked....­right up until what doctors and scientists had said about the dangers of smoking finally made its way into the understanding of the collective public.

BTW, the tabacco companies.­..they're not doctors or scientists. I thought that distinction would be obvious.

[AutismNewsBeat]

Funny you'd bring up tobacco scientists. You know what eventually connected tobacco to cancers? Epidemiologal studies. You know, the same science that David Kirby disparages. And yes, I understand he has no proof that epidemiology is not a real science, but I'm not sure how that helps his case.

[Twyla]

What California analysis? See

http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/newsdetail.html?key=1861&svr=http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu&table=published

and also see

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2009/february/autism-rates.cfm

jhammi, that's not hearsay. That's a legitimate study. Or maybe when you said "heresay" you meant heresy? Yes, it is heresy because it goes against the propaganda which has gotten to the point of blind, chanted dogma.

But seriously, jhammi -- all joking aside -- if you have not heard of the above study, you are ignorant about autism.

David Kirby has spent years studying these issues and he knows what he is talking about, and writing about.

[AutismNewsBeat]

"David Kirby has spent years studying these issues and he knows what he is talking about, and writing about."

And yet he says he can offer no proof of anything. How do you reconcile those two points?

[abitcrunchy]

In case the original poster doesn't have it, I have it!

http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/newsdetail.html?key=1861&svr=http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu&table=published

Praytel...­and it's not even hearsay, it's an actual PUBLISHED study!

[abitcrunchy]

which they are far from qualified to evaluate and quite frankly, I'll take the collective word of the vast majority of medical professionals over yours, any day.

I bet if I got my training from text-books which were written, published, AND approved for college use by the pharma mafia then I might agree with you. However, some "medical professionals" are brainwashed and unable to think outside the box, it doesn't take a science degree to see it either.