A Just Published Report
A just-published report in the Journal of the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, conducted by Dr. Mark Geier and David Geier, analyzed mercury doses children received from Thimerosal in childhood vaccines in comparison to Federal Safety Guidelines. The doctors concluded that mercury from Thimerosal did exceed Federal Safety Guidelines and that the study provides “strong epidemiological evidence” for a link between increasing mercury from Thimerosal-containing childhood vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism which has reached epidemic proportions. The authors stated, “A causal relationship between Thimerosal-containing childhood vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders appears to be confirmed.”
The new legislation, sponsored by Senator Judd Gregg, comes on the heels of the new revealations.
The Geier research confirms the findings of an unreleased CDC study, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, which found a relative risk of 2.48 between thimerosal exposures and autism. Courts of law have generally held that a relative risk of 2.0 or higher is sufficient to substantiate that a given exposure causes disease.
Much like the Homeland Security Bill provision, the legislation is attached to a larger bill that most likely will pass swiftly through the Senate due to its anti-terrorism measures. The bill combines three interrelated issues:
Bioterrorism-“BioShield”, creating a Smallpox Compensation Program and reforming the Vaccine Injury Compensation Act (VICA).
Parents of vaccine-injured children and many lawmakers on Capitol Hill believe VICA is long overdue for review and adjustment but passage of the Frist bill with all of its pro-drug company/anti-child regulations is not the solution. Jeff Sell, vice-president of the Autism Society of America, an attorney and father of autistic twins said, “It is unconscionable to slam the door on any relief for perhaps 500,000 families-who may face millions of dollars in expenses for lifetime care for a seriously injured child-without providing for an alternative and effective remedy.”
This isn’t the first time Frist has been accused of catering to the pharmaceutical companies-many think in response to large campaign contributions. Last year, a $10,000 campaign contribution was reportedly given to Frist from a drug industry lobbying group the day after he submitted S. 2053 that contained similar language to S. 15 and what was quietly slipped into the Homeland Security Bill in the 11th hour. The corrupt rider was later repealed in response to media backlash and at the request of moderate Republicans.
If the Frist Vaccine Injury Compensation Bill does pass, drug companies will not be required to pay for lifelong care of children damaged by Thimerosal, but taxpayers will. “U.S. taxpayers had no part in destroying my child’s immune system, his health and his chance of a normal life … why should they pay for it?” asked Loretta McMahon, mother of a child whose diagnosis recently switched from autism to mercury toxicity.
Parents of children with mercury-induced autism say they look to the Burton/Waxman/Weldon Bill in the House as a viable alternative plan because of its due process to pursue civil litigation and for its look-back provision to incorporate thousands of families who presently do not fit into the VICA. They plan a rally at Upper Senate Park, Wednesday, March 19th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Researchers will be in attendance to talk about the mercury/thimerosal and autism connection.
In 1990, the rate of autism was 1 in 10,000. Today that number stands at 1 in 150 according to Centers for Disease Control. This dramatic rise in autism rates correlates with the increase in mercury-exposure through vaccines given to children in the late 1980s and through the 1990s.
