If media accounts about Kirsten Gillibrand of New York are correct, then I am pleased to be the first to report that my new Senator is a supporter of research into possible connections between vaccines and autism.
The presumptive Senator, a moderate Democrat from the Hudson Valley, is sure to join the growing chorus of voices in the US Senate -- and well beyond -- in calling for more Federal funding for scientific studies into vaccines and autism, including Senators Kennedy, Dodd, McCain, Lieberman and Enzi, among others, and former Senators Clinton and Obama.
In the 110th Congress, Representative Gillibrand was one of 22 Co-Sponsors of H. R. 2832, the "Comprehensive Comparative Study of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Populations Act of 2007." This bill would direct the Secretary of HHS "to conduct or support a comprehensive study comparing total health outcomes, including risk of autism, in vaccinated populations in the United States with such outcomes in unvaccinated populations in the United States."
Ms. Gillibrand could hardly be labeled as "anti-vaccine" -- nor could the bill that she cosponsored, which was introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), another short-list contender to fill Hillary Clinton's Senate seat.
"Securing the health of the Nation's children is our most important concern as parents and stewards of the Nation's future," the text of the bill says. "The Nation's vaccine program has greatly reduced human suffering from infectious disease by preventing and reducing the outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases. Childhood immunizations are an important tool in the pursuit of childhood health."
But, the bill notes, "The number of immunizations administered to infants, pregnant women, children, teenagers, and adults has grown dramatically over recent years. The incidence of chronic, unexplained diseases such as autism, learning disabilities, and other neurological disorders appears to have increased dramatically in recent years."
And, it states: "Individual vaccines are tested for safety, but little safety testing has been conducted for interaction effects of multiple vaccines. The strategy of aggressive, early childhood immunization against a large number of infectious diseases has never been tested in its entirety against alternative strategies, either for safety or for total health outcomes."
The text of the bill reasonably concludes: "Public confidence in the management of public health can only be maintained if these State government-mandated, mass vaccination programs -- (A) are tested rigorously and in their entirety against all reasonable safety concerns; and (B) are verified in their entirety to produce superior health outcomes."
It goes on to note that there are "numerous" US populations "in which a practice of no vaccination is followed and which therefore provide a natural comparison group for comparing total health outcomes. No comparative study of such health outcomes has ever been conducted."
"Given rising concern over the high rates of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, the need for such (vaccine) studies is becoming urgent."
In addition to this, Rep. Gillibrand sent a staff person to attend a vaccine-autism briefing I spoke at on Capitol Hill in September, sponsored by Rep. Maloney. Despite the fact that it happened on the same day that the American economy was melting down (the day that John McCain temporarily suspended his Presidential bid), over 90 members of the House and Senate made sure that they had representatives at the briefing.
So there you are. Few things are more mainstream than a Senate seat from New York. Kristen Gillibrand is a decidedly mainstream politician who supports vaccine autism research. And she is in good company. Research into vaccines and autism and other neurological disorders has recently been supported by many, many illustrious institutions and individuals. But more on that very soon.
For now, suffice it so say that the as-yet unconfirmed appointment of Senator Gillibrand of New York marks a victory for those who support more Federal funding for vaccine-autism research.
For those who disagree, I suggest you take it up with the Senator.
Rigorous scientific investigation is back! I'm thrilled the Democrats are in office.
We can't afford to be penny-wise and ton foolish.
Kim
I don't believe that anecdotal evidence from parents is truly evidence, but I don't believe it should be discounted either. Parents' gut feelings are often more valuable for their persistence if nothing else. I would love to believe the CDC so I could feel better about immunizing my daughter, but what is needed here is good science and plenty of it.
could have exchanged punches over weather or not you are fear mongering or which one of us is actually ignorant/misinformed/cool aid drinker, but since we agree that legislation should pass and that the research should be conducted, why should we bother? That is Obamas approach, listening to him has actually inspired me to put up and shut up about you antagonism.
Lets do the research, and depending on the results one of us will have to say "Mea culpa"
Both doctors, and all the doctors for all of my friends' children, said there is no credible link between vaccines and autism. (For confirmation anyone can look at results from the CDC, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the Institute of Medicine, the UK National Health Service, etc. for their findings.)
For a long time the concern was that mercury-containing thimerosal was the culprit. However, thimerosal was removed from vaccines in 2001. So, if it were the cause, one would expect the number of autistic children to begin to decline beginning in 2004. However, from 2004 onward, the number of autistic children continues to climb.
Parents are also concerned about combination vaccines - M/M/R, for example. However, these have been studied as well and have been determined to be safe.
I'm all for the continued study of vaccines and their effects on children. They should be made as safe as conceivably possible. But continued diversion of funds into a field of study that is based on correlation and anecdote is only delaying the real goal.
Since you are both misinformed, you would both be well served to read the above link. Warmly, Dad4truth
for instance the large CDC was a null finding - as published it couldnt prove whether it did or didn't find an association yet to this day it is held up as finding no link
there were issues with that study from the start as found by congressional committee who received a peer reviewed draft in which the data did show an association
when others tried to gain access to the data they were denied (for it to be "science" it must be testable and repeatable) and later that data was "lost" by the CDC
The other studies done overseas played mickey mouse with their data sets to reach their conclusions as well. Those researchers had conflicts of interest as well.
10:38am
Indianapolis
I am looking forward to the results of the scientific studies because I am the mother of a 17-year-old who was diagnosed autistic at the age of 2. His symptoms began immediately after vaccinations.
My son was making progress and very happy with me when he was removed from my custody by the State of Connecticut at the age of 7. DCF claimed that I caused his developmental delays, not autism.
The fact that my son was receiving SSI because of his diagnosis made no difference to the court.
My son has been in foster care for 10 years now and I have been fighting with DCF the entire time--without benefit of a competent attorney because I am broke.
Since I am no longer my son's legal guardian, I have not been able to sue on his behalf. I think this may be the reason that I have never been able to regain custody. How many autistic children are in foster care, I wonder.
My son is doing well, I should add, because he is intelligent, because of his love of music, and because I have been advocating for him all along.
I am happy for the Senator to be an honest-sounding, open-minded individual.
And thank you David Kirby for keeping us informed. I greatly appreciate it.
I was wondering if you have heard about this very interesting research called:
Pediatric Vaccines Influence Primate Behavior
http://www.safeminds.org/research/pediatric-vaccines-influence-primat-behavior.html
I also hope Gillibrand looks into the research as well.
some ultra-orthodox groups dont vaccinate their children, and these people would be easier to communicate
with and study then the Amish. So you have Some jews, the amish, the homeschooling, some immigrants,
siblings of autistic children whose parents decided against vaccinations because they believe or suspect that vaccines cause the older child to become autistic...
Is that not enough? Why would such a study be so difficult to conduct?
As always, thanks much for your persistence. (((HUGS))) to you David!