Did anyone else see this on ABC? I didn't, but just ran across the article. Ugh!
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050623/clth058.html?.v=14
Didn't see anything related to abc news on msnbc or cnn. Totally refuse to go to anything related to yahoo. Or yah**l as some people refer to it.
Tammy
ok tammy...here's the article for all of you who are Yahoo-sensitive!!!
ABC World News Tonight Endorses Use of Mercury in Children, Says National Autism Association
Thursday June 23, 3:09 pm ET
Robert F. Kennedy was interviewed for the package which had been previously cancelled by ABC. RFK has researched the connection between autism and thimerosal, including scientific studies, and secret meeting notes from a 2000 CDC gathering called "Simpsonwood." The meeting transcripts reveal over 40 doctors privately discussing concerns over the mercury preservative. In an article in Rolling Stone and on Salon.com, Kennedy outs a CDC cover-up, as well as the Institute of Medicine's disregard for sound scientific evidence during 2004 hearings.
Some parents compare last night's broadcast to Rather-gate, citing that Johnson, ABC's medical commentator, readily used an unreliable source: the CDC. CDC's 2000 study of thimerosal showed a link between the neurotoxin and autism, but was never released to the public. After the CDC informed Johnson there was no cover-up, Johnson took their comments as fact without proper investigation.
Also in last night's report:
- No scientist, researcher or doctor familiar with the connection between
autism and thimerosal was interviewed.
- David Kirby, author of the recently-released book "Evidence of Harm"
was not interviewed.
- Lyn Redwood, the mother featured in last night's report, is a nurse
practitioner. Her credentials went undisclosed.
- ABC followed the story with a package about high-sugar cereals and how
bad it may be for childhood obesity, yet they favored the use of a
bloodstream-bound neurotoxin.
Although some media outlets white-wash the issue, many parents feel ABC went a step further by creating the piece solely to discredit Kennedy. "Timothy Johnson misled ABC's viewers by shifting the focus to vaccines as a whole, and not the neurotoxic ingredient in vaccines. Kennedy understands that vaccines are important, but emphasizes that the use of mercury in vaccines is not only unnecessary but a large public health risk," says Lori McIlwain (Cary, NC) parent and board member of NAA.
Earlier this week, Dr. Andrew Shih of the National Alliance for Autism Research appeared on Montel Williams and also endorsed the use of mercury in vaccines. Shih stated that his infant received vaccines which may or may have not contained thimerosal -- he felt no need to ask for thimerosal-free. Wendy Fournier (Portsmouth, RI), parent and president of NAA, asks, "Why would Shih, Johnson or any parent deliberately give their child a substance that's label contains a Jolly-Roger symbol?"
Today, Don Imus of Imus in the Morning called ABC's report an "embarrassment."
For more information, visit www.nationalautism.org . Contact: Laura Bono, NAA (NC) 919-403-9443 Jo Pike, NAA (SC) 843-206-8443 Rita Shreffler, NAA (MO) 417-725-6107 Wendy Fournier, NAA (RI) 401-632-7523
Source: National Autism Association
I did not see it on ABC. Things have been so hectic here for me I didnt even get to see Montel like I wanted.... I even forgot to set to tape it. However I came across a different board that was mentioning this so here are the links for it........
abc vs Kennedy Jr and I'm boycotting ABC
Wow thank you Michelle! Sure is interesting to see it laid out side by side like that.....haven't these morons ever seen this?!?!?!?! It's just crazy...
And I have a friend in California, and even though it's illegal to contain thim. they didn't have to pull it off their shelves...so it is still in the vaccines...why ALL mothers to be aren't told of the danger is beyond me! Just crazy.
Thanks again!
blimey ......... dont know what else to say as dont hear that much about this over hereThe following was received in email from Unlocking Autism (www.unlockingautism.org)
Dear Parents and Friends:
The following newscast was aired on Friday, June 24th on Washington, D.C. ABC News affiliate WJLA. We are encouraging people to e-mail a "thank you," "job well done," and "keep it up" to news reporter Kathy Fowler. Our kids could sure use more stories airing in Washington, D.C.!
E-mail: medicalreports@wjla.com
Subject: Feedback from ABC 7 Medical: Autism Vaccine
Or, use the link provided in the video transcript.
Thanks to Debbie Gordon, Kelly Kerns, Lisa Sykes, and, of course, Dr. Mark Geier and David Geier for their help.
The link to the story transcript is below, through which you can access the video:
Direct Link:
<http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0605/238268.html>
(if this doesn't work, follow below):
Go to www.wjla.com <http://www.wjla.com/>
Click on Medical Reports;
Click on Autism Vaccine;
View the e-video of Kathy Fowler's report.
ABC 7 Medical: Autism Vaccine
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0605/238268.html
eVideo: Medical: Autism Vaccine
-WJLA Script-
Anchor:
ANGRY PARENTS HAVE MARC (website - news) HED ON CAPITAL HILL, DEMANDING TO CONGRESS THAT MERCURY BE TAKEN OUT OF ALL VACCINEES.
Kathy Fowler on set:
BUT MORE RECENT STUDIES HAVE CHANGED THE MINDS OF SOME.
Deb Gordan: "My husband came downstarirs... and I looked at him and I said Danny's autistic... he just broke down.. he said oh so that's it."
DEB GORDAN FOUND OUT HER 3 YEAR OLD SON, DANNY WAS AUTISTIC LESS THAN A YEAR AGO... BUT TODAY SHE'S NO LONGER TREATING HIM AS AN AUTISTIC CHILD.
Deb Gordan: "Take the word autism away and just insert "poisoned by mercury" and that's how I'm going to treat my child medically."
WHEN DEB WAS PREGNANT SHE GOT A FLU VACCINE AND THEN A DAY AFTER DANNY WAS BORN HE GOT HIS FIRST VACCINE. DEB AND MANY PARENTS BELIEVE A PERSERVATIVE IN VACCINES CALLED THIMEROSAL, WHICH IS MERCURY, CAUSED DAMAGE TO THEIR CHILDRENS' BRAIN.
THE CENTER'S FOR DISEASE CONTROL SAY THERE'S NOT LINK...
Deb Gordan: "The vast majority of the scientific data does not support association of thimerosal in vaccines with autism."
AT FIRST, SCIENTISTS LIKE DR. MARK GEIER, FORMERLY FROM THE NIH, TOLD CONCERNED PARENTS THE VACCINE CONNECTION WAS RIDICULOUS...
Dr. Mark Geier: "DON'T bother us go away .. we're doing real research here."
BUT, GEIER, WHO'S RESEARCHED VACCINES SINCE THE 1970'S, DECIDED TO STUDY THE CONNECTION BECAUSE OF THE SHARP RISE IN AUTISM CASES.
INTHE 1980'S ONLY ONE IN 2500 KIDS WERE DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM... TODAY THE CDC
DR. GEIER DIRECTLY COMPARED VACCINES WITH THIMOEROSAL TO VACCINES WITHOUT IT IN RELATIONSHIP TO AUTISM.
Dr. Mark Geier: "We found a 6 times HIGHER increase in those that had the theimoral."
THEY ALSO TESTED AUTISTIC CHILDREN AND FOUND THEIR MERCURY LEVELS WERE OFF THE CHARTS. THEN THEY STUDIED OTHER RESEARCH DONE BY THE CENTER'S FOR DISEASE CONTROL.
Dr. Mark Geier: "It said that they found a stiatiscially icnrease risk of neurodevelopmetnal disorder following children with who go tthimeorsol adn the more thimoersaol they got - the more the increase was."
DEB, WHO'S CONVINCED HER CHILD HAS BEEN MERCURY POISONED IS RESEARCHING A NEW TREATMENT THAT DETOXES MERCURY OUT OF A CHILD'S BODY.
Deb Gordan: "I'm not giving up on him.... he's going to be okay.. mommy.. i love you."
BRITAIN HAS ALREADY BANNED THE USE OF THIMEROSAL IN VACCINES... SO HAS TWO STATES IN THE U.S. CALIFORNIA AND IOWA.
OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THIMEROSAL HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF MOST CHILDHOOD VACCINES... BUT STILL REMAINS IN THE FLU AND TETNUS VACCINES.
FOR MORE INFO OF THIS TOPIC GO TO:
http://www.generationrescue.org/
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
» Questions or Comments? Click Here To Email ABC 7
» Debate Over Vaccines, Autism Continues
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Click this link to see the similarities between autism and mercury poisioning http://www.asasb.org/mercury.htm
Summary Comparison of Characteristics of Autism & Mercury Poisoning
|
Mercury Poisoning |
Autism |
|
Psychiatric Disturbances |
|
|
Social deficits, shyness, social withdrawal |
Social deficits, social withdrawal, shyness |
|
Depression, mood swings; mask face |
Depressive traits, mood swings; flat affect |
|
Anxiety |
Anxiety |
|
Schizoid tendencies, OCD traits |
Schizophrenic & OCD traits; repetitiveness |
|
Lacks eye contact, hesitant to engage others |
Lack of eye contact, avoids conversation |
|
Irrational fears |
Irrational fears |
|
Irritability, aggression, temper tantrums |
Irritability, aggression, temper tantrums |
|
Impaired face recognition |
Impaired face recognition |
|
Speech, Language & Hearing Deficits |
|
|
Loss of speech, failure to develop speech |
Delayed language, failure to develop speech |
|
Dysarthria; articulation problems |
Dysarthria; articulation problems |
|
Speech comprehension deficits |
Speech comprehension deficits |
|
Verbalizing & word retrieval problems |
Echolalia; word use & pragmatic errors |
|
Sound sensitivity |
Sound sensitivity |
|
Hearing loss; deafness in very high doses |
Mild to profound hearing loss |
|
Poor performance on language IQ tests |
Poor performance on verbal IQ tests |
|
Sensory Abnormalities |
|
|
Abnormal sensation in mouth & extremities |
Abnormal sensation in mouth & extremities |
|
Sound sensitivity |
Sound sensitivity |
|
Abnormal touch sensations; touch aversion |
Abnormal touch sensations; touch aversion |
|
Vestibular abnormalities |
Vestibular abnormalities |
|
Motor Disorders |
|
|
Involuntary jerking movements - arm flapping, ankle jerks, myoclonal jerks, choreiform movements, circling, rocking |
Stereotyped movements - arm flapping, jumping, circling, spinning, rocking; myoclonal jerks; choreiform movements |
|
Deficits in eye-hand coordination; limb apraxia; intention tremors |
Poor eye-hand coordination; limb apraxia; problems with intentional movements |
|
Gait impairment; ataxia - from incoordination & clumsiness to inability to walk, stand, or sit; loss of motor control |
Abnormal gait and posture, clumsiness and incoordination; difficulties sitting, lying, crawling, and walking |
|
Difficulty in chewing or swallowing |
Difficulty chewing or swallowing |
|
Unusual postures; toe walking |
Unusual postures; toe walking |
|
Cognitive Impairments |
|
|
Borderline intelligence, mental retardation - some cases reversible |
Borderline intelligence, mental retardation - sometimes "recovered" |
|
Poor concentration, attention, response inhibition |
Poor concentration, attention, shifting attention |
|
Uneven performance on IQ subtests |
Uneven performance on IQ subtests |
|
Verbal IQ higher than performance IQ |
Verbal IQ higher than performance IQ |
|
Poor short term, verbal, & auditory memory |
Poor short term, auditory & verbal memory |
|
Poor visual and perceptual motor skills, impairment in simple reaction time |
Poor visual and perceptual motor skills, lower performance on timed tests |
|
Difficulty carrying out complex commands |
Difficulty carrying out multiple commands |
|
Word-comprehension difficulties |
Word-comprehension difficulties |
|
Deficits in understanding abstract ideas & symbolism; degeneration of higher mental powers |
Deficits in abstract thinking & symbolism, understanding other’s mental states, sequencing, planning & organizing |
|
Unusual Behaviors |
|
|
Stereotyped sniffing (rats) |
Stereotyped, repetitive behaviors |
|
ADHD traits |
ADHD traits |
|
Agitation, unprovoked crying, grimacing, staring spells |
Agitation, unprovoked crying, grimacing, staring spells |
|
Sleep difficulties |
Sleep difficulties |
|
Eating disorders, feeding problems |
Eating disorders, feeding problems |
|
Self injurious behavior, e.g. head banging |
Self injurious behavior, e.g. head banging |
|
Visual Impairments |
|
|
Poor eye contact, impaired visual fixation |
Poor eye contact, problems in joint attention |
|
“Visual impairments,” blindness, near-sightedness, decreased visual acuity |
“Visual impairments”; inaccurate/slow saccades; decreased rod functioning |
|
Light sensitivity, photophobia |
Over-sensitivity to light |
|
Blurred or hazy vision |
Blurred vision |
|
Constricted visual fields |
Not described |
|
Physical Disturbances |
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in cerebral palsy; hyper- or hypo-tonia; abnormal reflexes; decreased muscle strength, especially upper body; incontinence; problems chewing, swallowing, salivating |
Increase in cerebral palsy; hyper- or hypotonia; decreased muscle strength, especially upper body; incontinence; problems chewing and swallowing |
|
Rashes, dermatitis/dry skin, itching; burning |
Rashes, dermatitis, eczema, itching |
|
Autonomic disturbance: excessive sweating, poor circulation, elevated heart rate |
Autonomic disturbance: unusual sweating, poor circulation, elevated heart rate |
|
Gastro-intestinal Disturbances |
|
|
Gastroenteritis, diarrhea; abdominal pain, constipation, “colitis” |
Diarrhea, constipation, gaseousness, abdominal discomfort, colitis |
|
Anorexia, weight loss, nausea, poor appetite |
Anorexia; feeding problems/vomiting |
|
Lesions of ileum & colon; increased gut permeability |
Leaky gut syndrome |
|
Inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase IV, which cleaves casomorphin |
Inadequate endopeptidase enzymes needed for breakdown of casein & gluten |
|
Abnormal Biochemistry |
|
|
Binds -SH groups; blocks sulfate transporter in intestines, kidneys |
Low sulfate levels |
|
Has special affinity for purines & pyrimidines |
Purine & pyrimidine metabolism errors lead to autistic features |
|
Reduces availability of glutathione, needed in neurons, cells & liver to detoxify heavy metals |
Low levels of glutathione; decreased ability of liver to detoxify heavy metals |
|
Causes significant reduction in glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase |
Abnormal glutathione peroxidase activities in erythrocytes |
|
Disrupts mitochondrial activities, especially in brain |
Mitochondrial dysfunction, especially in brain |
|
Immune Dysfunction |
|
|
Sensitivity due to allergic or autoimmune reactions; sensitive individuals more likely to have allergies, asthma, autoimmune-like symptoms, especially rheumatoid-like ones |
More likely to have allergies and asthma; familial presence of autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis; IgA deficiencies |
|
Can produce an immune response in CNS |
On-going immune response in CNS |
|
Causes brain/MBP autoantibodies |
Brain/MBP autoantibodies present |
|
Causes overproduction of Th2 subset; kills/inhibits lymphocytes, T-cells, and monocytes; decreases NK T-cell activity; induces or suppresses IFNg & IL-2 |
Skewed immune-cell subset in the Th2 direction; decreased responses to T-cell mitogens; reduced NK T-cell function; increased IFNg & IL-12 |
|
CNS Structural Pathology |
|
|
Selectively targets brain areas unable to detoxify or reduce Hg-induced oxidative stress |
Specific areas of brain pathology; many functions spared |
|
Damage to Purkinje and granular cells |
Damage to Purkinje and granular cells |
|
Accummulates in amygdala and hippocampus |
Pathology in amygdala and hippocampus |
|
Causes abnormal neuronal cytoarchitecture; disrupts neuronal migration & cell division; reduces NCAMs |
Neuronal disorganization; increased neuronal cell replication, increased glial cells; depressed expression of NCAMs |
|
Progressive microcephaly |
Progressive microcephaly and macrocephaly |
|
Brain stem defects in some cases |
Brain stem defects in some cases |
|
Abnormalities in Neuro-chemistry |
|
|
Prevents presynaptic serotonin release & inhibits serotonin transport; causes calcium disruptions |
Decreased serotonin synthesis in children; abnormal calcium metabolism |
|
Alters dopamine systems; peroxidine deficiency in rats resembles mercurialism in humans |
Possibly high or low dopamine levels; positive response to peroxidine (lowers dopamine levels) |
|
Elevates epinephrine & norepinephrine levels by blocking enzyme that degrades epinephrine |
Elevated norepinephrine and epinephrine |
|
Elevates glutamate |
Elevated glutamate and aspartate |
|
Leads to cortical acetylcholine deficiency; increases muscarinic receptor density in hippocampus & cerebellum |
Cortical acetylcholine deficiency; reduced muscarinic receptor binding in hippocampus |
|
Causes demyelinating neuropathy |
Demyelination in brain |
|
EEG Abnormalities / Epilepsy |
|
|
Causes abnormal EEGs, epileptiform activity |
Abnormal EEGs, epileptiform activity |
|
Causes seizures, convulsions |
Seizures; epilepsy |
|
Causes subtle, low amplitude seizure activity |
Subtle, low amplitude seizure activities |
|
Population Characteristics |
|
|
Effects more males than females |
Male:female ratio estimated at 4:1 |
|
At low doses, only affects those geneticially susceptible |
High heritability - concordance for MZ twins is 90% |
|
First added to childhood vaccines in 1930s |
First "discovered" among children born in 1930s |
|
Exposure levels steadily increased since 1930s with rate of vaccination, number of vaccines |
Prevalence of autism has steadily increased from 1 in 2000 (pre1970) to 1 in 500 (early 1990s), higher in 2000. |
|
Exposure occurs at 0 - 15 months; clinical silent stage means symptom emergence delayed; symptoms emerge gradually, starting with movement & sensation |
Symptoms emerge from 4 months to 2 years old; symptoms emerge gradually, starting with movement & sensation |
Table II: Summary of Psychiatric Disturbances
Found in Autism & Mercury Poisoning
|
Mercury Poisoning |
Autism |
|
Extreme shyness, social withdrawal, feeling overly sensitive, introversion |
Social deficits, social withdrawal, self reports of extreme shyness, aloofness |
|
Mood swings; flat affect; mask face; laughing or crying without provocation; episodes of hysteria |
Mood swings; flat affect in some; no facial expression; laughing or crying without reason |
|
Anxiety; nervousness; tremulousness; somatization of anxious feelings |
Anxiety, nervousness; anxiety disorder |
|
Schizoid tendencies, neurosis, obsessive-compulsive traits, repetitive dreams |
Schizophrenic traits; OCD traits; repetitive behaviors and thoughts |
|
Lack of eye contact; being less talkative; hesitancy to engage others |
Lack of eye contact, gaze avoidance; avoids conversation |
|
Depression, lack of interest in life, lassitude, fatigue, apathy; feelings of hopelessness; melancholy |
Association with depression; lack of initiative, diminished outward emotions |
|
On the one hand, less overtly active, unwilling to go outside or be with others; on the other hand, increased restlessness |
Tendency to withdraw, especially to own rooms, prefer to be alone; hyperactivity |
|
Irrational fears |
Irrational fears |
|
Irritability, anger, and aggression; in children this may manifest as frequent and severe temper tantrums |
Irritability and aggression; severe temper tantrums in children |
|
Psychotic episodes; hallucinations, hearing voices; paranoid thoughts |
Psychotic talk, paranoid thoughts |
|
Impaired face recognition |
Impaired face recognition |
Table III: Summary of Speech, Language
& Hearing Deficits in Autism & Mercury Poisoning
|
Mercury Poisoning |
Autism |
|
Complete loss of speech in adults or children; failure to develop speech in infants |
Delayed language onset; failure to develop speech |
|
Dysarthria; speech difficulties from intention tremor; slow and slurred speech |
Dysarthria; dyspraxia and oral-motor planning difficulties; unintelligible speech |
|
Aphasia, the inability to use or understand words, inability to comprehend speech although ability to hear sound is intact |
Speech comprehension deficits, although ability to hear sound is intact |
|
Difficulties verbalizing; word retrieval problems |
Echolalia; pronoun reversals, word meaning and pragmatic errors; limited speech production |
|
Auditory disturbance; difficulties differentiating voices in a crowd |
Difficulties following conversational speech with background noise |
|
Sound sensitivity |
Sound sensitivity |
|
Hearing loss; deafness in very high doses |
Mild to profound hearing loss |
|
Poor performance on standardized language tests |
Poor performance on verbal IQ tests |
Table IV: Summary of Sensory Abnormalities
in Mercury Poisoning & Autism
|
Mercury Poisoning |
Autism |
|
Abnormal sensation or numbness around mouth and extremities (paresthesia); burning feet |
Abnormal sensation in mouth and extremities; excessive mouthing of objects (infants); toe walking; difficulty grasping objects |
|
Sound sensitivity |