Debate over vaccines, autism won't die

The CDC’s Dr. Tom Verstraeten presented results of a crude analysis suggesting mercury might be linked to some problems like language delays. As for autism, “we don’t see much of a trend except for a slight, but not significant, increase for the highest exposure,” he said, according to a transcript that vaccine opponents have posted on the Internet.

Pressed to quantify risks, Verstraeten demurred, saying, “it is giving more accuracy to this data than what they really have.” But he admits that when he reviewed others’ studies, he was “stunned” to see how plausible the argument of harm was, according to the transcript.

The Institute of Medicine in 2001 also found the theory “biologically plausible” but said evidence was inadequate to accept or reject it.

Verstraeten ultimately published a medical journal article saying there was little evidence of a link. That enraged U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon, a physician and Republican from Florida, and U.S. Rep. Dan Burton, an Indiana Republican whose grandson has autism.

Relying on 'cigarette science'
Fights over limits to damages that families could seek in lawsuits followed. They drew the attention of Robert Kennedy Jr., a lawyer and environmentalist.

“I kept getting approached by these mothers of autistic kids who said the exposures from vaccines dwarfs any exposure we’re getting from environmental mercury,” he said.

Kennedy, who has pushed the issue on news shows and in an article in Rolling Stone magazine, said that when he looked at the government’s evidence it was “laughably flawed.”

“It was clear to me that the reports they’re relying on are ’cigarette science,”’ he said, referring to tobacco companies’ past arguments that there was no proof cigarettes caused cancer.

Even if there were a link, proving vaccines cause autism is another matter, said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University professor and longtime government vaccine adviser.

There are scientific tests of causation: the problem appears soon after the exposure; the link makes sense biologically; the risk rises as the dose rises; the link is strong and consistent rather than weak or occasional; the problem doesn’t occur without the exposure (a test rarely met).

The final test: the problem or risk falls if the exposure is discontinued. Studies from England, where thimerosal was eliminated sooner than in the United States, indicate that autism rates continue to rise, not decline, even without the preservative, he said.

Also, he and other scientists point to the case against silicone breast implants, involving years of court battles. Lawsuits alleged the implants caused fibromyalgia, based on isolated cases. “Now all the epidemiology is against it and that has quietly shifted away,” Schaffner said. “Scientific issues are not resolved in the courtroom.”

Sykes has another place in mind.

“When the federal institution will not respond appropriately, take it to the church,” she said.

More battles, more tears
Two weeks ago, she convinced the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist church — the largest conference in United Methodism — to pass a resolution calling for the removal of mercury from vaccines.

It now heads to the Board of Global Ministries and the Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church for consideration. The same resolution passed Kerns’ East Kansas Conference of the Methodist Church 650-0 a few weeks ago.

The Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America has referred the measure to a committee. The Virlina District Church of the Brethren, which serves parts of Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina, is drafting its own version.

Meanwhile at Sykes’ home, the day that melted down with her son’s screams was turning into night. Wesley has drifted off to sleep. The phone’s incessant ringing stops. Sykes’ husband, Seth, returns home from work. Outside, all is quiet except for the musical tinkling of a passing ice cream truck.

Later, Wesley wakes up and finishes his dinner. He cuddles with his dad in the recliner and watches TV before going to bed.

There will be more tantrums, more battles, more tears, for Wesley and his mother.

But for a rare moment, everything seems normal. There is just sweet, blessed peace.

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