by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright August 9, 2004
All Rights Reserved.

ontroversy rages over whether the mercury-based preservative thimerosal causes autism when administered in multi-dose vaccines to prevent childhood diseases of measles, mumps and rubella. Autism is a disabling neurobehavioral condition marked by severe language, speech, communication and learning problems. While different than mental retardation, autism is still considered a developmental disability, managed through Calfiornia's Department of Developmental Services. Drug makers categorically reject any link to autism while families of autistic children are convinced that the ethyl mercury-containing vaccines cause autism. With childhood diseases largely contained and no longer pressing health risks, it's reasonable to question routine vaccinations, especially where risks outweigh expected benefits. Yet today's medical community turns a blind eye on side effects from thimerosal-laced vaccines.

      Currently, more than 4,200 families seek recovery in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, affectionately nicknamed “vaccine court.” “Vaccine court” was created in 1986 from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Act, designed to pay families for injuries stemming from vaccines, yet, at the same time, shield drug companies from costly civil litigation. Families of autistic children believe that multi-dose-thimerosal-containing vaccinations are responsible for the dramatic rise in autism, causing widespread alarm, despite reassurances from health officials and drug companies. Since 1994, there's been a whopping 500%-plus jump in autism, according to California's Department of Developmental Services. In 1994, there were 4,911 cases. Halfway through 2004, there's already 25,011 cases. From 1987 to 1998, there was a 273% increase in autism.

      Health officials dismiss the findings as simply better reporting, seeing no correlation between thimerosal-laced vaccines and autism. After all, thimerosal was developed by Ely Lilly & Co. in 1929 and has been used by vaccine makers as an antibacterial preservative since the 1930s. No one argues with preventing childhood diseases. But today's dramatic escalation in autism warrants careful consideration. “There's simply no reliable scientific evidence” that thimeroasol causes autism, according to Loren Cooper, assistant general counsel for GlaxoSmithKline, a multinational powerhouse and maker of mercury-based vaccines. Cooper cites the lack of “reliable” scientific findings, not disputing other studies he regards as dubious. Vaccine makers like Merck, Wyeth, Aventis-Pasteur and Glaxo are watching “Vaccine Court” with bated breath.

      If any judge or jury rules against vaccine makers on thimerosal, it could open up an avalanche of product liability claims, quickly bankrupting “vaccine court,” currently with $2 billion in reserves. “Vaccine court” limits awards of $250,000, unable to levy punitive damages. Civil litigation opens the doors to punitive damages, especially if it can be established that drug makers ignored potentially dangerous side effects. Prestigious institutions like the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Centers for Disease Control have their reputations on the line with thimerosal. Only “junk scientists and charlatans” believe a link between thimerosal and autism, insists Dr. Stephan Cochi, head of the national immunization program at CDC, showing too much passion for a disinterested scientist. Ruling out a thimerosal-autism link requires more than categorical denials and name-calling.

      Recent revelations at the National Institutes of Health call into question so called “scientific research,” especially where lead investigators receive dual salaries from the government and drug companies. Former NIH Director Harold E. Varmus, who relaxed the rules in 1995 to allow scientist to augment salaries, now wants a ban on double dipping, citing egregious conflicts of interest. Current NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni promised the Senate appropriations subcommittee on Health, Human Services and Education he'd require public disclosure of egregious dual relationships, recognizing that today's science might already be compromised. With today's financial arrangements, scientists have difficulty showing objectivity when simultaneously collecting money from drug companies. It's no longer easy to ignore questioning “scientific” research sponsored by drug companies.

      Ignoring California's 500% increase in autism since 1994 places the lives of children at serious risk. Attributing the increase to better reporting doesn't account for the 4,200 families awaiting justice in “vaccine court.” Drug makers have an ax to grind proving that no relationship exists between thimerosal-laced vaccines and autism. Too many families' with firsthand experience can't ignore a link with toxic mercury exposure and their autistic children. Since they find no other reason for the problem, it's not unreasonable to question the vaccine. The evidence “is so overwhelming one-sided that we are confident that juries will overcome their natural sympathies for plaintiffs and decide these cases as science dictates,” said Daniel J. Thomasch, lead outside counsel for Wyeth, hoping that juries don't find out that scientists dismissing the link between thimerosal and autism are on the drug company's payroll.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2002 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.