The Dangers of Thimerosal

Dan Olmstead, Autism's Dick Tracy

By EVELYN PRINGLE
Accrdin! t ""icials in t#e natin's re!ulatry a!encies, t#e main $stacle t %r&in! r
dis%r&in! a link $et'een t#e autism e%idemic and t#e mercury($ased %reser&ati&e, t#imersal,
t#at 'as cntained in c#ild#d &accines until a "e' years a!, and is still in "lu &accines, #as
$een t#e ina$ility t "ind a lar!e enu!# !ru% " %e%le '# #a&e ne&er $een &accinated t
cm%are 'it# %e%le '# #a&e)
In "act, a "e' mnt#s a!, *D* ""icials claimed t#at suc# a study 'uld $e nearly im%ssi$le)
On +uly ,-, .//0, t#e *D* #eld a 1edia Brie"in! n t#e t%ic " &accines and c#ild #ealt#) On
t#e issue " !&ernment researc# n autism, a re%rter asked *D* Directr, Dr +ulie Ger$erdin!2
3are yu %uttin! any mney int clinical studies rat#er t#an e%idemil!ical studies, t &eri"y r
dis%r&e t#e %arents' claim a$ut a %articular c#annel, a %articular mec#anism $y '#ic# a
minrity " !enetically sus%ecta$le kids are su%%sed dama!ed43
Ger$erdin! re%lied2 T d t#e study t#at yu're su!!estin!, lkin! "r an assciatin $et'een
t#imersal and autism in a %rs%ecti&e sense is 5ust a$ut im%ssi$le t d ri!#t n' $ecause 'e
dn't #a&e t#se &accines in use in t#is cuntry s 'e're nt in a %sitin '#ere 'e can cm%are
t#e c#ildren '# #a&e recei&ed t#em directly t t#e c#ildren '# dn't)
Dr Duane Ale6ander, " t#e Natinal Institute " 7ealt#, a!reed and said2 It's really nt %ssi$le )))
in t#is cuntry t d a %rs%ecti&e study n' " t#imersal and &accines in relatins#i% t autism)
Only a retrs%ecti&e study '#ic# 'uld $e &ery di""icult t d under t#e circumstances culd $e
munted 'it# re!ard t t#e t#imersal 8uestin)
Never seen an Amish person with autism
7'e&er, Dan Olmsted, in&esti!ati&e re%rter "r 9nited Press Internatinal, and aut#r " t#e
A!e " Autism series " re%rts, a%%ears t #a&e sl&ed t#is %r$lem '#en #e came u% 'it# t#e
idea " c#eckin! ut t#e natin's Amis# %%ulatin '#ere %arents d nt rdinarily &accinate
c#ildren)
:irst #e lked t t#e Amis# cmmunity in Pennsyl&ania and "und a "amily dctr in Lancaster
'# #ad treated t#usands " Amis# %atients &er a 8uarter(century '# said #e #as ne&er seen
an Amis# %ersn 'it# autism, accrdin! t A!e " Autism2 A !lim%se " t#e Amis# n +une .,
.//0)
Olmsted als inter&ie'ed Dick ;arner, '# #as a 'ater %uri"icatin and natural #ealt# $usiness
and #as $een in Amis# #use#lds all &er t#e cuntry) 3I'&e $een 'rkin! 'it# Amis# %e%le
since ,-</,3 ;arner said)
3I #a&e ne&er seen an autistic Amis# c#ild = nt ne,3 #e tld Olmsted) 3I 'uld kn' it) I #a&e
a strn! medical $ack!rund) I kn' '#at autistic %e%le are like) I #a&e "riends '# #a&e
autistic c#ildren,3 #e added)
Olmsted did "ind ne Amis# 'man in Lancaster *unty 'it# an autistic c#ild $ut as it turns ut,
t#e c#ild 'as ad%ted "rm *#ina and #ad $een &accinated) T#e 'man kne' " t' t#er
autistic c#ildren $ut #ere a!ain, ne " t#se #ad $een &accinated)
Ne6t Olmsted &isited a medical %ractice in 1iddle$ur!, Indiana, t#e #eart " t#e Amis#
cmmunity, and asked '#et#er t#e clinic treated Amis# %e%le 'it# autism)
A sta"" mem$er tld Olmsted t#at s#e #ad ne&er t#u!#t a$ut it $e"re, $ut in t#e "i&e years t#at
s#e #ad 'rked at t#e clinic s#e #ad ne&er seen ne autistic Amis#)
On +une <, .//0, Olmsted re%rted n t#e autism rate in t#e Amis# cmmunity arund
1iddle"ield, O#i, '#ic# 'as , in ,0,///, accrdin! t Dr 7en! ;an!, t#e medical directr, at t#e
DD* *linic "r >%ecial Needs *#ildren)
3> "ar,3 accrdin! t A!e " Autism, 3t#ere is e&idence " "e'er t#an ,/ Amis# 'it# autism? t#ere
s#uld $e se&eral #undred i" t#e disrder ccurs amn! t#em at t#e same ,@@(, %re&alence as
c#ildren $rn in t#e rest " t#e %%ulatin)3
Homefirst Health Services
In additin t t#e Amis#, Olmsted recently disc&ered ant#er lar!e un&accinated !ru%) On
Decem$er A, .//0, A!e " Autism re%rted t#at t#usands " c#ildren cared "r $y 7me"irst
7ealt# >er&ices in metr%litan *#ica! #a&e at least t' t#in!s in cmmn 'it# Amis# c#ildren,
t#ey #a&e ne&er $een &accinated and t#ey dn't #a&e autism)
7me"irst #as "i&e ""ices in t#e *#ica! area and a ttal " si6 dctrs) 3;e #a&e a$ut B/,///
r B0,/// c#ildren t#at 'e'&e taken care " &er t#e years, and I dn't t#ink 'e #a&e a sin!le case
" autism in c#ildren deli&ered $y us '# ne&er recei&ed &accines,3 said Dr 1ayer Eisenstein,
7me"irst's medical directr '# "unded t#e %ractice in ,-AB)
Olmsted re%rts t#at t#e autism rate in Illinis %u$lic sc#ls is B< %er ,/,///, accrdin! t state
Educatin De%artment data) In treatin! a %%ulatin " B/,/// t B0,/// c#ildren, t#is 'uld
l!ically mean t#at 7me"irst s#uld #a&e seen at least ,./ autistic c#ildren &er t#e years $ut
t#e clinic #as seen nne)
It lks like t#e %r$lem is "inally sl&ed) T#anks t autism's Dick Tracy, t#e !&ernment n'
#as t#usands " un&accinated %e%le t cm%are t %e%le '# 'ere &accinated)
E&elyn Prin!le is a clumnist "r Inde%endent 1edia TV and an in&esti!ati&e 5urnalist "cused n
e6%sin! crru%tin in !&ernment)
Deadly Immunity
By R$ert :) Cennedy +r)
>aln)cm
T#ursday ,@ +une .//0
A >alnDRllin! >tne 5int in&esti!atin)
;#en a study re&ealed t#at mercury in c#ild#d &accines may #a&e caused autism in
t#usands " kids, t#e !&ernment rus#ed t cnceal t#e data = and t %re&ent %arents "rm
suin! dru! cm%anies "r t#eir rle in t#e e%idemic)
In +une .///, a !ru% " t% !&ernment scientists and #ealt# ""icials !at#ered "r a meetin!
at t#e islated >im%sn'd cn"erence center in Nrcrss, Ga) *n&ened $y t#e *enters "r
Disease *ntrl and Pre&entin, t#e meetin! 'as #eld at t#is 1et#dist retreat center, nestled in
'ded "armland ne6t t t#e *#atta#c#ee Ri&er, t ensure cm%lete secrecy)
At#ens Greece
EAutism and mercuryF
Ima!e2 >aln)cm
T#e a!ency #ad issued n %u$lic annuncement " t#e sessin = nly %ri&ate in&itatins t 0.
attendees) T#ere 'ere #i!#(le&el ""icials "rm t#e *D* and t#e :d and Dru! Administratin,
t#e t% &accine s%ecialist "rm t#e ;rld 7ealt# Or!aniGatin in Gene&a, and re%resentati&es "
e&ery ma5r &accine manu"acturer, includin! Gla6>mit#Cline, 1erck, ;yet# and A&entis
Pasteur)
All " t#e scienti"ic data under discussin, *D* ""icials re%eatedly reminded t#e %artici%ants,
'as strictly 3em$ar!ed)3 T#ere 'uld $e n makin! %#tc%ies " dcuments, n takin!
%a%ers 'it# t#em '#en t#ey le"t)
>a"ety " &accines
T#e "ederal ""icials and industry re%resentati&es #ad assem$led t discuss a distur$in! ne'
study t#at raised alarmin! 8uestins a$ut t#e sa"ety " a #st " cmmn c#ild#d &accines
administered t in"ants and yun! c#ildren)
Accrdin! t a *D* e%idemil!ist named Tm Verstraeten, '# #ad analyGed t#e a!ency's
massi&e data$ase cntainin! t#e medical recrds " ,//,/// c#ildren, a mercury($ased
%reser&ati&e in t#e &accines = t#imersal = a%%eared t $e res%nsi$le "r a dramatic increase
in autism and a #st " t#er neurl!ical disrders amn! c#ildren)
3I 'as actually stunned $y '#at I sa',3 Verstraeten tld t#se assem$led at >im%sn'd,
citin! t#e sta!!erin! num$er " earlier studies t#at indicate a link $et'een t#imersal and s%eec#
delays, attentin(de"icit disrder, #y%eracti&ity and autism)
>ince ,--,, '#en t#e *D* and t#e :DA #ad recmmended t#at t#ree additinal &accines
laced 'it# t#e %reser&ati&e $e !i&en t e6tremely yun! in"ants = in ne case, 'it#in #urs "
$irt# = t#e estimated num$er " cases " autism #ad increased "i"teen"ld, "rm ne in e&ery
.,0// c#ildren t ne in ,@@ c#ildren)
E&en "r scientists and dctrs accustmed t cn"rntin! issues " li"e and deat#, t#e "indin!s
'ere "ri!#tenin!)
3Yu can %lay 'it# t#is all yu 'ant,3 Dr) Bill ;eil, a cnsultant "r t#e American Academy "
Pediatrics, tld t#e !ru%) T#e results 3are statistically si!ni"icant)3
Dr) Ric#ard +#nstn, an immunl!ist and %ediatrician "rm t#e 9ni&ersity " *lrad '#se
!randsn #ad $een $rn early n t#e mrnin! " t#e meetin!'s "irst day, 'as e&en mre alarmed)
31y !ut "eelin!43 #e said) 3:r!i&e t#is %ersnal cmment = I d nt 'ant my !randsn t !et a
t#imersal(cntainin! &accine until 'e kn' $etter '#at is !in! n)3
But instead " takin! immediate ste%s t alert t#e %u$lic and rid t#e &accine su%%ly "
t#imersal, t#e ""icials and e6ecuti&es at >im%sn'd s%ent mst " t#e ne6t t' days
discussin! #' t c&er u% t#e dama!in! data)
Accrdin! t transcri%ts $tained under t#e :reedm " In"rmatin Act, many at t#e meetin!
'ere cncerned a$ut #' t#e dama!in! re&elatins a$ut t#imersal 'uld a""ect t#e &accine
industry's $ttm line)
3;e are in a $ad %sitin "rm t#e stand%int " de"endin! any la'suits,3 said Dr) R$ert Brent,
a %ediatrician at t#e Al"red I) duPnt 7s%ital "r *#ildren in Dela'are) 3T#is 'ill $e a resurce
t ur &ery $usy %lainti"" attrneys in t#is cuntry)3
>tudy s#uld nt #a&e $een dne at all
Dr) B$ *#en, #ead " &accine sa"ety "r t#e *D*, e6%ressed relie" t#at 3!i&en t#e sensiti&ity "
t#e in"rmatin, 'e #a&e $een a$le t kee% it ut " t#e #ands ", let's say, less res%nsi$le
#ands)3
Dr) +#n *lements, &accines ad&isr at t#e ;rld 7ealt# Or!aniGatin, declared "latly t#at t#e
study 3s#uld nt #a&e $een dne at all3 and 'arned t#at t#e results 3'ill $e taken $y t#ers and
'ill $e used in 'ays $eynd t#e cntrl " t#is !ru%) T#e researc# results #a&e t $e #andled)3
In "act, t#e !&ernment #as %r&ed t $e "ar mre ade%t at #andlin! t#e dama!e t#an at
%rtectin! c#ildren's #ealt#)
T#e *D* %aid t#e Institute " 1edicine t cnduct a ne' study t '#ite'as# t#e risks "
t#imersal, rderin! researc#ers t 3rule ut3 t#e c#emical's link t autism)
It 'it##eld Verstraeten's "indin!s, e&en t#u!# t#ey #ad $een slated "r immediate %u$licatin,
and tld t#er scientists t#at #is ri!inal data #ad $een 3lst3 and culd nt $e re%licated)
And t t#'art t#e :reedm " In"rmatin Act, it #anded its !iant data$ase " &accine recrds
&er t a %ri&ate cm%any, declarin! it ""(limits t researc#ers)
By t#e time Verstraeten "inally %u$lis#ed #is study in .//B, #e #ad !ne t 'rk "r
Gla6>mit#Cline and re'rked #is data t $ury t#e link $et'een t#imersal and autism)
Vaccine manu"acturers #ad already $e!un t %#ase t#imersal ut " in5ectins !i&en t
American in"ants = $ut t#ey cntinued t sell "" t#eir mercury($ased su%%lies " &accines until
last year)
*D* $u!#t u% &accines "r de&el%in! cuntries
T#e *D* and :DA !a&e t#em a #and, $uyin! u% t#e tainted &accines "r e6%rt t de&el%in!
cuntries and all'in! dru! cm%anies t cntinue usin! t#e %reser&ati&e in sme American
&accines = includin! se&eral %ediatric "lu s#ts as 'ell as tetanus $sters rutinely !i&en t ,,(
year(lds)
T#e dru! cm%anies are als !ettin! #el% "rm %'er"ul la'makers in ;as#in!tn)
>enate 1a5rity Leader Bill :rist, '# #as recei&ed H<AB,/// in cntri$utins "rm t#e
%#armaceutical industry, #as $een 'rkin! t immuniGe &accine makers "rm lia$ility in I,.//
la'suits t#at #a&e $een "iled $y t#e %arents " in5ured c#ildren)
On "i&e se%arate ccasins, :rist #as tried t seal all " t#e !&ernment's &accine(related
dcuments = includin! t#e >im%sn'd transcri%ts = and s#ield Eli Lilly, t#e de&el%er "
t#imersal, "rm su$%enas)
In .//., t#e day a"ter :rist 8uietly sli%%ed a rider kn'n as t#e 3Eli Lilly Prtectin Act3 int a
#meland security $ill, t#e cm%any cntri$uted H,/,/// t #is cam%ai!n and $u!#t 0,///
c%ies " #is $k n $iterrrism)
*n!ress re%ealed t#e measure in .//B = $ut earlier t#is year, :rist sli%%ed ant#er %r&isin
int an anti(terrrism $ill t#at 'uld deny cm%ensatin t c#ildren su""erin! "rm &accine(related
$rain disrders)
3T#e la'suits are " suc# ma!nitude t#at t#ey culd %ut &accine %rducers ut " $usiness and
limit ur ca%acity t deal 'it# a $il!ical attack $y terrrists,3 says Andy Olsen, a le!islati&e
assistant t :rist)
E&en many cnser&ati&es are s#cked $y t#e !&ernment's e""rt t c&er u% t#e dan!ers "
t#imersal)
Re%) Dan Burtn, a Re%u$lican "rm Indiana, &ersa' a t#ree(year in&esti!atin " t#imersal
a"ter #is !randsn 'as dia!nsed 'it# autism)
3T#imersal used as a %reser&ati&e in &accines is directly related t t#e autism e%idemic,3 #is
7use G&ernment Re"rm *mmittee cncluded in its "inal re%rt)
3T#is e%idemic in all %r$a$ility may #a&e $een %re&ented r curtailed #ad t#e :DA nt $een
aslee% at t#e s'itc# re!ardin! a lack " sa"ety data re!ardin! in5ected t#imersal, a kn'n
neurt6in)3
1is%laced %rtectinism " %#armaceutical industry
T#e :DA and t#er %u$lic(#ealt# a!encies "ailed t act, t#e cmmittee added, ut "
3institutinal mal"easance "r sel" %rtectin3 and 3mis%laced %rtectinism " t#e %#armaceutical
industry)3
T#e stry " #' !&ernment #ealt# a!encies clluded 'it# Bi! P#arma t #ide t#e risks "
t#imersal "rm t#e %u$lic is a c#illin! case study " institutinal arr!ance, %'er and !reed)
I 'as dra'n int t#e cntr&ersy nly reluctantly)
As an attrney and en&irnmentalist '# #as s%ent years 'rkin! n issues " mercury
t6icity, I "re8uently met mt#ers " autistic c#ildren '# 'ere a$slutely cn&inced t#at t#eir kids
#ad $een in5ured $y &accines)
Pri&ately, I 'as ske%tical) I du$ted t#at autism culd $e $lamed n a sin!le surce, and I
certainly understd t#e !&ernment's need t reassure %arents t#at &accinatins are sa"e? t#e
eradicatin " deadly c#ild#d diseases de%ends n it)
I tended t a!ree 'it# ske%tics like Re%) 7enry ;a6man, a Demcrat "rm *ali"rnia, '#
criticiGed #is cllea!ues n t#e 7use G&ernment Re"rm *mmittee "r lea%in! t cnclusins
a$ut autism and &accinatins) 3;#y s#uld 'e scare %e%le a$ut immuniGatin,3 ;a6man
%inted ut at ne #earin!, 3until 'e kn' t#e "acts43
It 'as nly a"ter readin! t#e >im%sn'd transcri%ts, studyin! t#e leadin! scienti"ic researc#
and talkin! 'it# many " t#e natin's %reeminent aut#rities n mercury t#at I $ecame cn&inced
t#at t#e link $et'een t#imersal and t#e e%idemic " c#ild#d neurl!ical disrders is real)
:i&e " my 'n c#ildren are mem$ers " t#e T#imersal Generatin = t#se $rn $et'een
,-<- and .//B = '# recei&ed #ea&y dses " mercury "rm &accines)
O&er'#elmed
3T#e elementary !rades are &er'#elmed 'it# c#ildren '# #a&e sym%tms " neurl!ical r
immune(system dama!e,3 Patti ;#ite, a sc#l nurse, tld t#e 7use G&ernment Re"rm
*mmittee in ,---)
3Vaccines are su%%sed t $e makin! us #ealt#ier? #'e&er, in .0 years " nursin! I #a&e
ne&er seen s many dama!ed, sick kids) >met#in! &ery, &ery 'rn! is #a%%enin! t ur
c#ildren)3
1re t#an 0//,/// kids currently su""er "rm autism, and %ediatricians dia!nse mre t#an
I/,/// ne' cases e&ery year) T#e disease 'as unkn'n until ,-IB, '#en it 'as identi"ied and
dia!nsed amn! ,, c#ildren $rn in t#e mnt#s a"ter t#imersal 'as "irst added t $a$y
&accines in ,-B,)
>me ske%tics dis%ute t#at t#e rise in autism is caused $y t#imersal(tainted &accinatins)
T#ey ar!ue t#at t#e increase is a result " $etter dia!nsis = a t#ery t#at seems 8uestina$le
at $est, !i&en t#at mst " t#e ne' cases " autism are clustered 'it#in a sin!le !eneratin "
c#ildren)
3I" t#e e%idemic is truly an arti"act " %r dia!nsis,3 sc""s Dr) Byd 7aley, ne " t#e 'rld's
aut#rities n mercury t6icity, 3t#en '#ere are all t#e ./(year(ld autistics43
Part " muc# lar!er %r$lem
Ot#er researc#ers %int ut t#at Americans are e6%sed t a !reater cumulati&e 3lad3 "
mercury t#an e&er $e"re, "rm cntaminated "is# t dental "illin!s, and su!!est t#at t#imersal in
&accines may $e nly %art " a muc# lar!er %r$lem)
It's a cncern t#at certainly deser&es "ar mre attentin t#an it #as recei&ed = $ut it &erlks
t#e "act t#at t#e mercury cncentratins in &accines d'ar" t#er surces " e6%sure t ur
c#ildren)
;#at is mst strikin! is t#e len!t#s t '#ic# many " t#e leadin! detecti&es #a&e !ne t
i!nre = and c&er u% = t#e e&idence a!ainst t#imersal)
:rm t#e &ery $e!innin!, t#e scienti"ic case a!ainst t#e mercury additi&e #as $een
&er'#elmin!)
T#e %reser&ati&e, '#ic# is used t stem "un!i and $acterial !r't# in &accines, cntains
et#ylmercury, a %tent neurt6in)
Trucklads " studies #a&e s#'n t#at mercury tends t accumulate in t#e $rains " %rimates
and t#er animals a"ter t#ey are in5ected 'it# &accines = and t#at t#e de&el%in! $rains "
in"ants are %articularly susce%ti$le)
In ,-AA, a Russian study "und t#at adults e6%sed t muc# l'er cncentratins "
et#ylmercury t#an t#se !i&en t American c#ildren still su""ered $rain dama!e years later)
Russia $anned t#imersal "rm c#ildren's &accines ./ years a!, and Denmark, Austria,
+a%an, Great Britain and all t#e >candina&ian cuntries #a&e since "ll'ed suit)
3Yu culdn't e&en cnstruct a study t#at s#'s t#imersal is sa"e,3 says 7aley, '# #eads t#e
c#emistry de%artment at t#e 9ni&ersity " Centucky) 3It's 5ust t darn t6ic) I" yu in5ect
t#imersal int an animal, its $rain 'ill sicken) I" yu a%%ly it t li&in! tissue, t#e cells die) I" yu
%ut it in a %etri dis#, t#e culture dies) Cn'in! t#ese t#in!s, it 'uld $e s#ckin! i" ne culd
in5ect it int an in"ant 'it#ut causin! dama!e)3
Eli Lilly kne' "rm start
Internal dcuments re&eal t#at Eli Lilly, '#ic# "irst de&el%ed t#imersal, kne' "rm t#e start
t#at its %rduct culd cause dama!e = and e&en deat# = in $t# animals and #umans)
In ,-B/, t#e cm%any tested t#imersal $y administerin! it t .. %atients 'it# terminal
menin!itis, all " '#m died 'it#in 'eeks " $ein! in5ected = a "act Lilly didn't $t#er t re%rt in
its study declarin! t#imersal sa"e)
In ,-B0, researc#ers at ant#er &accine manu"acturer, Pittman(1re, 'arned Lilly t#at its
claims a$ut t#imersal's sa"ety 3did nt c#eck 'it# urs)3
7al" t#e d!s Pittman in5ected 'it# t#imersal($ased &accines $ecame sick, leadin!
researc#ers t#ere t declare t#e %reser&ati&e 3unsatis"actry as a serum intended "r use n
d!s)3
In t#e decades t#at "ll'ed, t#e e&idence a!ainst t#imersal cntinued t munt) Durin! t#e
>ecnd ;rld ;ar, '#en t#e De%artment " De"ense used t#e %reser&ati&e in &accines n
sldiers, it re8uired Lilly t la$el it 3%isn)3
In ,-@A, a study in A%%lied 1icr$il!y "und t#at t#imersal killed mice '#en added t
in5ected &accines)
:ur years later, Lilly's 'n studies discerned t#at t#imersal 'as 3t6ic t tissue cells3 in
cncentratins as l' as ne %art %er millin = ,// times 'eaker t#an t#e cncentratin in a
ty%ical &accine)
E&en s, t#e cm%any cntinued t %rmte t#imersal as 3nnt6ic3 and als incr%rated it
int t%ical disin"ectants)
In ,-AA, ,/ $a$ies at a Trnt #s%ital died '#en an antise%tic %reser&ed 'it# t#imersal 'as
da$$ed nt t#eir um$ilical crds)
In ,-<., t#e :DA %r%sed a $an n &er(t#e(cunter %rducts t#at cntained t#imersal, and
in ,--, t#e a!ency cnsidered $annin! it "rm animal &accines)
But tra!ically, t#at same year, t#e *D* recmmended t#at in"ants $e in5ected 'it# a series "
mercury(laced &accines)
Ne'$rns 'uld $e &accinated "r #e%atitis B 'it#in .I #urs " $irt#, and .(mnt#(ld in"ants
'uld $e immuniGed "r #aem%#ilus in"luenGae B and di%#t#eria(tetanus(%ertussis)
T#e dru! industry kne' t#e additinal &accines %sed a dan!er)
T#e same year t#at t#e *D* a%%r&ed t#e ne' &accines, Dr) 1aurice 7illeman, ne " t#e
"at#ers " 1erck's &accine %r!rams, 'arned t#e cm%any t#at @(mnt#(lds '# 'ere
administered t#e s#ts 'uld su""er dan!erus e6%sure t mercury)
7e recmmended t#at t#imersal $e discntinued, 3es%ecially '#en used n in"ants and
c#ildren,3 ntin! t#at t#e industry kne' " nnt6ic alternati&es)
3T#e $est 'ay t !,3 #e added, 3is t s'itc# t dis%ensin! t#e actual &accines 'it#ut addin!
%reser&ati&es)3
1erck = issue 'as mney
:r 1erck and t#er dru! cm%anies, #'e&er, t#e $stacle 'as mney)
T#imersal ena$les t#e %#armaceutical industry t %acka!e &accines in &ials t#at cntain
multi%le dses, '#ic# re8uire additinal %rtectin $ecause t#ey are mre easily cntaminated $y
multi%le needle entries)
T#e lar!er &ials cst #al" as muc# t %rduce as smaller, sin!le(dse &ials, makin! it c#ea%er
"r internatinal a!encies t distri$ute t#em t im%&eris#ed re!ins at risk " e%idemics)
:aced 'it# t#is 3cst cnsideratin,3 1erck i!nred 7illeman's 'arnin!s, and !&ernment
""icials cntinued t %us# mre and mre t#imersal($ased &accines "r c#ildren)
Be"re ,-<-, American %resc#lers recei&ed nly t#ree &accinatins = "r %li, di%#t#eria(
tetanus(%ertussis and measles(mum%s(ru$ella)
A decade later, t#anks t "ederal recmmendatins, c#ildren 'ere recei&in! a ttal " ..
immuniGatins $y t#e time t#ey reac#ed "irst !rade)
Vaccines and autism
As t#e num$er " &accines increased, t#e rate " autism amn! c#ildren e6%lded)
Durin! t#e ,--/s, I/ millin c#ildren 'ere in5ected 'it# t#imersal($ased &accines, recei&in!
un%recedented le&els " mercury durin! a %erid critical "r $rain de&el%ment)
Des%ite t#e 'ell(dcumented dan!ers " t#imersal, it a%%ears t#at n ne $t#ered t add u%
t#e cumulati&e dse " mercury t#at c#ildren 'uld recei&e "rm t#e mandated &accines)
3;#at tk t#e :DA s ln! t d t#e calculatins43 Peter Patriarca, directr " &iral %rducts
"r t#e a!ency, asked in an e(mail t t#e *D* in ,---)
3;#y didn't *D* and t#e ad&isry $dies d t#ese calculatins '#en t#ey ra%idly e6%anded
t#e c#ild#d immuniGatin sc#edule43
,<A times EPA's limit
But $y t#at time, t#e dama!e 'as dne) In"ants '# recei&ed all t#eir &accines, %lus $sters,
$y t#e a!e " @ mnt#s 'ere $ein! in5ected 'it# le&els " et#ylmercury ,<A times !reater t#an t#e
EPA's limit "r daily e6%sure t met#ylmercury, a related neurt6in)
Alt#u!# t#e &accine industry insists t#at et#ylmercury %ses little dan!er $ecause it $reaks
d'n ra%idly and is rem&ed $y t#e $dy, se&eral studies = includin! ne %u$lis#ed in A%ril $y
t#e Natinal Institutes " 7ealt# = su!!est t#at et#ylmercury is actually mre t6ic t de&el%in!
$rains and stays in t#e $rain ln!er t#an met#ylmercury)
O""icials res%nsi$le "r c#ild#d immuniGatins insist t#at t#e additinal &accines 'ere
necessary t %rtect in"ants "rm disease and t#at t#imersal is still essential in de&el%in!
natins, '#ic#, t#ey "ten claim, cannt a""rd t#e sin!le(dse &ials t#at dn't re8uire a
%reser&ati&e)
Dr) Paul O""it, ne " *D*'s t% &accine ad&isrs, tld me, 3I t#ink i" 'e really #a&e an in"luenGa
%andemic = and certainly 'e 'ill in t#e ne6t ./ years, $ecause 'e al'ays d = t#ere's n 'ay
n Gd's eart# t#at 'e immuniGe .</ millin %e%le 'it# sin!le(dse &ials) T#ere #as t $e
multidse &ials)3
1any #ad clse ties t t#e industry
But '#ile %u$lic(#ealt# ""icials may #a&e $een 'ell(intentined, many " t#se n t#e *D*
ad&isry cmmittee '# $acked t#e additinal &accines #ad clse ties t t#e industry)
Dr) >am CatG, t#e cmmittee's c#air, 'as a %aid cnsultant "r mst " t#e ma5r &accine
makers and s#ares a %atent n a measles &accine 'it# 1erck, '#ic# als manu"actures t#e
#e%atitis B &accine)
Dr) Neal 7alsey, ant#er cmmittee mem$er, 'rked as a researc#er "r t#e &accine
cm%anies and recei&ed #nraria "rm A$$tt La$s "r #is researc# n t#e #e%atitis B &accine)
Indeed, in t#e ti!#t circle " scientists '# 'rk n &accines, suc# cn"licts " interest are
cmmn)
Re%) Burtn says t#at t#e *D* 3rutinely all's scientists 'it# $latant cn"licts " interest t
ser&e n intellectual ad&isry cmmittees t#at make recmmendatins n ne' &accines,3 e&en
t#u!# t#ey #a&e 3interests in t#e %rducts and cm%anies "r '#ic# t#ey are su%%sed t $e
%r&idin! un$iased &ersi!#t)3
T#e 7use G&ernment Re"rm *mmittee disc&ered t#at "ur " t#e ei!#t *D* ad&isrs
'# a%%r&ed !uidelines "r a rta&irus &accine laced 'it# t#imersal 3#ad "inancial ties t t#e
%#armaceutical cm%anies t#at 'ere de&el%in! di""erent &ersins " t#e &accine)3
O""it, '# s#ares a %atent n t#e &accine, ackn'led!ed t me t#at #e 3'uld make mney3 i"
#is &te t a%%r&e it e&entually leads t a marketa$le %rduct)
But #e dismissed my su!!estin t#at a scientist's direct "inancial stake in *D* a%%r&al mi!#t
$ias #is 5ud!ment)
3It %r&ides n cn"lict "r me,3 #e insists) 3I #a&e sim%ly $een in"rmed $y t#e %rcess, nt
crru%ted $y it) ;#en I sat arund t#at ta$le, my sle intent 'as tryin! t make
recmmendatins t#at $est $ene"ited t#e c#ildren in t#is cuntry) It's ""ensi&e t say t#at
%#ysicians and %u$lic(#ealt# %e%le are in t#e %cket " industry and t#us are makin! decisins
t#at t#ey kn' are unsa"e "r c#ildren) It's 5ust nt t#e 'ay it 'rks)3
Ot#er &accine scientists and re!ulatrs !a&e me similar assurances) Like O""it, t#ey &ie'
t#emsel&es as enli!#tened !uardians " c#ildren's #ealt#, %rud " t#eir 3%artners#i%s3 'it#
%#armaceutical cm%anies, immune t t#e seductins " %ersnal %r"it, $esie!ed $y irratinal
acti&ists '#se anti(&accine cam%ai!ns are endan!erin! c#ildren's #ealt#)
T#ey are "ten resent"ul " 8uestinin!) 3>cience,3 says O""it, 3is $est le"t t scientists)3
>till, sme !&ernment ""icials 'ere alarmed $y t#e a%%arent cn"licts " interest)
In #is e(mail t *D* administratrs in ,---, Paul Patriarca " t#e :DA $lasted "ederal
re!ulatrs "r "ailin! t ade8uately scrutiniGe t#e dan!er %sed $y t#e added $a$y &accines)
3I'm nt sure t#ere 'ill $e an easy 'ay ut " t#e %tential %erce%tin t#at t#e :DA, *D* and
immuniGatin(%licy $dies may #a&e $een aslee% at t#e s'itc# re2 t#imersal until n',3
Patriarca 'rte) T#e clse ties $et'een re!ulatry ""icials and t#e %#armaceutical industry, #e
added, 3'ill als raise 8uestins a$ut &arius ad&isry $dies re!ardin! a!!ressi&e
recmmendatins "r use3 " t#imersal in c#ild &accines)
I" "ederal re!ulatrs and !&ernment scientists "ailed t !ras% t#e %tential risks " t#imersal
&er t#e years, n ne culd claim i!nrance a"ter t#e secret meetin! at >im%sn'd)
Plitics &er science
But rat#er t#an cnduct mre studies t test t#e link t autism and t#er "rms " $rain
dama!e, t#e *D* %laced %litics &er science)
T#e a!ency turned its data$ase n c#ild#d &accines = '#ic# #ad $een de&el%ed lar!ely at
ta6%ayer e6%ense = &er t a %ri&ate a!ency, America's 7ealt# Insurance Plans, ensurin! t#at it
culd nt $e used "r additinal researc#)
It als instructed t#e Institute " 1edicine, an ad&isry r!aniGatin t#at is %art " t#e Natinal
Academy " >ciences, t %rduce a study de$unkin! t#e link $et'een t#imersal and $rain
disrders)
T#e *D* 3'ants us t declare, 'ell, t#at t#ese t#in!s are %retty sa"e,3 Dr) 1arie 1c*rmick,
'# c#aired t#e IO1's ImmuniGatin >a"ety Re&ie' *mmittee, tld #er "ell' researc#ers '#en
t#ey "irst met in +anuary .//,) 3;e are nt e&er !in! t cme d'n t#at EautismF is a true side
e""ect3 " t#imersal e6%sure)3
Accrdin! t transcri%ts " t#e meetin!, t#e cmmittee's c#ie" sta""er, Cat#leen >trattn,
%redicted t#at t#e IO1 'uld cnclude t#at t#e e&idence 'as 3inade8uate t acce%t r re5ect a
causal relatin3 $et'een t#imersal and autism) T#at, s#e added, 'as t#e result 3;alt 'ants3 =
a re"erence t Dr) ;alter Orenstein, directr " t#e Natinal ImmuniGatin Pr!ram "r t#e *D*)
:r t#se '# #ad de&ted t#eir li&es t %rmtin! &accinatin, t#e re&elatins a$ut
t#imersal t#reatened t undermine e&eryt#in! t#ey #ad 'rked "r)
3;e'&e !t a dra!n $y t#e tail #ere,3 said Dr) 1ic#ael Ca$ack, ant#er cmmittee mem$er)
3T#e mre ne!ati&e t#at EurF %resentatin is, t#e less likely %e%le are t use &accinatin,
immuniGatin = and 'e kn' '#at t#e results " t#at 'ill $e) ;e are kind " cau!#t in a tra%)
7' 'e 'rk ur 'ay ut " t#e tra%, I t#ink is t#e c#ar!e)3
E&en in %u$lic, "ederal ""icials made it clear t#at t#eir %rimary !al in studyin! t#imersal 'as
t dis%el du$ts a$ut &accines)
3:ur current studies are takin! %lace t rule ut t#e %r%sed link $et'een autism and
t#imersal,3 Dr) Grdn Du!las, t#en(directr " strate!ic %lannin! "r &accine researc# at t#e
Natinal Institutes " 7ealt#, assured a Princetn 9ni&ersity !at#erin! in 1ay .//,)
3In rder t und t#e #arm"ul e""ects " researc# claimin! t link t#e EmeaslesF &accine t an
ele&ated risk " autism, 'e need t cnduct and %u$liciGe additinal studies t assure %arents "
sa"ety)3
Du!las "rmerly ser&ed as %resident " &accinatins "r 1erck, '#ere #e i!nred 'arnin!s
a$ut t#imersal's risks)
In 1ay " last year, t#e Institute " 1edicine issued its "inal re%rt) Its cnclusin2 T#ere is n
%r&en link $et'een autism and t#imersal in &accines)
1uc# smaller dses t#an American kids
Rat#er t#an re&ie'in! t#e lar!e $dy " literature descri$in! t#e t6icity " t#imersal, t#e
re%rt relied n "ur disastrusly "la'ed e%idemil!ical studies e6aminin! Eur%ean cuntries,
'#ere c#ildren recei&ed muc# smaller dses " t#imersal t#an American kids)
It als cited a ne' &ersin " t#e Verstraeten study, %u$lis#ed in t#e 5urnal Pediatrics, t#at #ad
$een re'rked t reduce t#e link $et'een t#imersal and autism)
T#e ne' study included c#ildren t yun! t #a&e $een dia!nsed 'it# autism and
&erlked t#ers '# s#'ed si!ns " t#e disease)
N "urt#er researc# t $e cnducted
T#e IO1 declared t#e case clsed and = in a startlin! %sitin "r a scienti"ic $dy =
recmmended t#at n "urt#er researc# $e cnducted)
T#e re%rt may #a&e satis"ied t#e *D*, $ut it cn&inced n ne)
Re%) Da&id ;eldn, a Re%u$lican %#ysician "rm :lrida '# ser&es n t#e 7use
G&ernment Re"rm *mmittee, attacked t#e Institute " 1edicine, sayin! it relied n a #and"ul "
studies t#at 'ere 3"atally "la'ed3 $y 3%r desi!n3 and "ailed t re%resent 3all t#e a&aila$le
scienti"ic and medical researc#)3
*D* ""icials are nt interested in an #nest searc# "r t#e trut#, ;eldn tld me, $ecause 3an
assciatin $et'een &accines and autism 'uld "rce t#em t admit t#at t#eir %licies irre%ara$ly
dama!ed t#usands " c#ildren) ;# 'uld 'ant t make t#at cnclusin a$ut t#emsel&es43
9nder %ressure "rm *n!ress, %arents and a "e' " its 'n %anel mem$ers, t#e Institute "
1edicine reluctantly cn&ened a secnd %anel t re&ie' t#e "indin!s " t#e "irst)
In :e$ruary, t#e ne' %anel, cm%sed " di""erent scientists, criticiGed t#e earlier %anel "r its
lack " trans%arency and ur!ed t#e *D* t make its &accine data$ase a&aila$le t t#e %u$lic)
> "ar, t#u!#, nly t' scientists #a&e mana!ed t !ain access) Dr) 1ark Geier, %resident "
t#e Genetics *enter " America, and #is sn, Da&id, s%ent a year $attlin! t $tain t#e medical
recrds "rm t#e *D*)
>ince Au!ust .//., '#en mem$ers " *n!ress %ressured t#e a!ency t turn &er t#e data,
t#e Geiers #a&e cm%leted si6 studies t#at demnstrate a %'er"ul crrelatin $et'een
t#imersal and neurl!ical dama!e in c#ildren)
One study, '#ic# cm%ares t#e cumulati&e dse " mercury recei&ed $y c#ildren $rn $et'een
,-<, and ,-<0 'it# t#se $rn $et'een ,--/ and ,--@, "und a 3&ery si!ni"icant relatins#i%3
$et'een autism and &accines)
Ant#er study " educatinal %er"rmance "und t#at kids '# recei&ed #i!#er dses "
t#imersal in &accines 'ere nearly t#ree times as likely t $e dia!nsed 'it# autism and mre
t#an t#ree times as likely t su""er "rm s%eec# disrders and mental retardatin)
Ant#er sn(t($e(%u$lis#ed study s#'s t#at autism rates are in decline "ll'in! t#e recent
eliminatin " t#imersal "rm mst &accines)
As t#e "ederal !&ernment 'rked t %re&ent scientists "rm studyin! &accines, t#ers #a&e
ste%%ed in t study t#e link t autism)
Amis# re"use t immuniGe t#eir in"ants
In A%ril, re%rter Dan Olmsted " 9PI undertk ne " t#e mre interestin! studies #imsel")
>earc#in! "r c#ildren '# #ad nt $een e6%sed t mercury in &accines = t#e kind "
%%ulatin t#at scientists ty%ically use as a 3cntrl3 in e6%eriments = Olmsted scured t#e
Amis# " Lancaster *unty, Penn), '# re"use t immuniGe t#eir in"ants)
Gi&en t#e natinal rate " autism, Olmsted calculated t#at t#ere s#uld $e ,B/ autistics amn!
t#e Amis#) 7e "und nly "ur)
One #ad $een e6%sed t #i!# le&els " mercury "rm a %'er %lant) T#e t#er t#ree =
includin! ne c#ild ad%ted "rm utside t#e Amis# cmmunity = #ad recei&ed t#eir &accines)
At t#e state le&el, many ""icials #a&e als cnducted in(de%t# re&ie's " t#imersal)
;#ile t#e Institute " 1edicine 'as $usy '#ite'as#in! t#e risks, t#e I'a Le!islature 'as
care"ully cm$in! t#ru!# all " t#e a&aila$le scienti"ic and $il!ical data)
3A"ter t#ree years " re&ie', I $ecame cn&inced t#ere 'as su""icient credi$le researc# t s#'
a link $et'een mercury and t#e increased incidences in autism,3 says state >en) Cen Veenstra, a
Re%u$lican '# &ersa' t#e in&esti!atin)
A// %ercent increase
3T#e "act t#at I'a's A// %ercent increase in autism $e!an in t#e ,--/s, ri!#t a"ter mre and
mre &accines 'ere added t t#e c#ildren's &accine sc#edules, is slid e&idence alne)3
Last year, I'a $ecame t#e "irst state t $an mercury in &accines, "ll'ed $y *ali"rnia)
>imilar $ans are n' under cnsideratin in B. t#er states)
But instead " "ll'in! suit, t#e :DA cntinues t all' manu"acturers t include t#imersal in
scres " &er(t#e(cunter medicatins as 'ell as sterids and in5ected clla!en)
E&en mre alarmin!, t#e !&ernment cntinues t s#i% &accines %reser&ed 'it# t#imersal t
de&el%in! cuntries = sme " '#ic# are n' e6%eriencin! a sudden e6%lsin in autism rates)
*#ina n' ,)< millin autistics
In *#ina, '#ere t#e disease 'as &irtually unkn'n %rir t t#e intrductin " t#imersal $y
9)>) dru! manu"acturers in ,---, ne's re%rts indicate t#at t#ere are n' mre t#an ,)< millin
autistics)
Alt#u!# relia$le num$ers are #ard t cme $y, autistic disrders als a%%ear t $e sarin! in
India, Ar!entina, Nicara!ua and t#er de&el%in! cuntries t#at are n' usin! t#imersal(laced
&accines)
;7O cntinues t insist t#imersal sa"e
T#e ;rld 7ealt# Or!aniGatin cntinues t insist t#imersal is sa"e, $ut it %rmises t kee%
t#e %ssi$ility t#at it is linked t neurl!ical disrders 3under re&ie')3
I de&ted time t study t#is issue $ecause I $elie&e t#at t#is is a mral crisis t#at must $e
addressed)
I", as t#e e&idence su!!ests, ur %u$lic(#ealt# aut#rities kn'in!ly all'ed t#e
%#armaceutical industry t %isn an entire !eneratin " American c#ildren, t#eir actins
ar!ua$ly cnstitute ne " t#e $i!!est scandals in t#e annals " American medicine)
3T#e *D* is !uilty " incm%etence and !rss ne!li!ence,3 says 1ark Bla6ill, &ice %resident "
>a"e 1inds, a nn%r"it r!aniGatin cncerned a$ut t#e rle " mercury in medicines)
3T#e dama!e caused $y &accine e6%sure is massi&e) It's $i!!er t#an as$ests, $i!!er t#an
t$acc, $i!!er t#an anyt#in! yu'&e e&er seen)3
It's #ard t calculate t#e dama!e t ur cuntry = and t t#e internatinal e""rts t eradicate
e%idemic diseases = i" T#ird ;rld natins cme t $elie&e t#at America's mst #eralded
"rei!n(aid initiati&e is %isnin! t#eir c#ildren)
It's nt di""icult t %redict #' t#is scenari 'ill $e inter%reted $y America's enemies a$rad)
T#e scientists and researc#ers = many " t#em sincere, e&en idealistic = '# are
%artici%atin! in e""rts t #ide t#e science n t#imersal claim t#at t#ey are tryin! t ad&ance t#e
l"ty !al " %rtectin! c#ildren in de&el%in! natins "rm disease %andemics)
T#ey are $adly mis!uided)
T#eir "ailure t cme clean n t#imersal 'ill cme $ack #rri$ly t #aunt ur cuntry and t#e
'rld's %rest %%ulatins)
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R$ert :) Cennedy +r) is senir attrney "r t#e Natural Resurces De"ense *uncil, c#ie"
%rsecutin! attrney "r Ri&erkee%er and %resident " ;aterkee%er Alliance) 7e is t#e c(aut#r
" T#e Ri&erkee%ers)
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