Sen. John McCain Links Rise in Autism Cases to Thimerosal
February 29, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
So it seems that Senator John McCain has made his entrance into autism politics: At a town meeting in Texas today, McCain said that “‘there’s strong evidence’” that thimerosal, the mercury-based preservative, is responsible for the rising numbers of autistic children in the US. Writes Jake Tapper on Political Punch on ABC News:
McCain was responding to a question from the mother of a boy with autism, who asked about a recent story that the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program had issued a judgment in favor of an unnamed child whose family claimed regressive encephalopathy and symptoms of autism were caused by thimerosal. [Note: The government's concession in this case does not specify thimerosal as "causing" the child's condition; see below.]
“We’ve been waiting for years for kind of a responsible answer to this question, and are hoping that you can help us out there,” the woman said.
McCain said, per ABC News’ Bret Hovell, that “It’s indisputable that (autism) is on the rise amongst children, the question is what’s causing it. And we go back and forth and there’s strong evidence that indicates that it’s got to do with a preservative in vaccines.”
McCain said there’s “divided scientific opinion” on the matter, with “many on the other side that are credible scientists that are saying that’s not the cause of it.”
Tapper then points out that there is no valid scientific evidence linking autism to vaccines or to anything in vaccines and cites the recent study finding a rise in autism diagnoses even after thimerosal was removed from vaccines, as well as referencing the CDC, the AAP, the Institute of Medicine, and others who regularly incur the wrath of organizations who insist that there is a link between vaccines and autism.
Regarding the statement by the mother whose question McCain was responding to: The government’s concession in one of the vaccine injury cases in the Autism Omnibus is a legal, not a scientific judgment, as Orac reminds, and it does not specify thimerosal as causing the child to become autistic. This is the government’s analysis:
In sum, DVIC has concluded that the facts of this case meet the statutory criteria for demonstrating that the vaccinations CHILD received on July 19, 2000, significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder, which predisposed her to deficits in cellular energy metabolism, and manifested as a regressive encephalopathy with features of autism spectrum disorder.Therefore, respondent recommends that compensation be awarded to petitioners in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(c)(1)(C)(ii).
DVIC has concluded that CHILD’s complex partial seizure disorder, with an onset of almost six years after her July 19, 2000 vaccinations, is not related to a vaccine-injury.
Let’s hope that Sen. McCain and whoever advises him about scientific issues are fully up to date on their research, and that they read carefully. As anyone who’s gotten into a discussion/exchange/debate/mudslinging fest about vaccines and/or mercury and autism know, there’s a lot of opinions, a lot of dubious science, and a lot of scientific evidence about this topic—-evidence, that is, that there is no link between vaccines or something in vaccines and autism.
Kristina, where do we go from here. Is John McCain so misinformed? I have been dubious about vaccines myself, as you know.
I watched Doug Flutie on Larry King Live this week show footage of his 2 year old son, singing, laughing ,talking, and now silent at 16.
Flutie believes that there are 2 types of autism, one you are born with and one you get.
What do you think?
xR
Offhand, I wouldn’t guess that he’s so much misinformed on this issue, but rather, just uninformed. Not that it would matter that much. On the campaign trail, they pander to pretty much whomever will let them. And this might look to him like a good way to recover some of the religious-extremist vote that has so eluded him thus far. And this is “trivial” enough that he can backtrack at the first shift of the breeze, and no one will do more than shrug. And Big Pharma is all for candidates being hostile to good science, even if it appears to weigh against them, just so long as they know the candidate will ultimately fork over the corporate welfare on cue.
I can’t help but dream about Scott Horton (Harper’s) taking up the autism issue. He might well start off on the wrong foot, but after doing a little homework, he’d be spot-on and unstoppable.
Alas, the Who-Hearer has much bigger fish to fry…
The type that regresses like the 16 year that’s most likely genetic and the most severe form.
That type of autism was found to be genetic by studding the Amish. Until recently Autism was being misdiagnosed as mental retardation among the Amish.
Too Much toddler TV has been shown to trigger speech delays and can be misdiagnosed as autism.
I think you’re in part referencing the study by Michael Waldman about tv causing autism?
Keep something in mind
“Concede” is a word used by the petitioners (plaintifs) lawyers in the case–not the government. It is used in an email telling the Special Masters that they are pulling this child out as a “test case”. The word is used to imply that the government “Conceded” that vaccines cause autism.
The governent ‘resolved’ a case of vaccine injury to a child with a pre-exisiting mitochondrial disorder. They admit that there is a reasonable argument that the vaccine caused an aggravation and that they don’t have proof of a different reason for the injury.
Remember the 50% plus a feather argument? Well, it appears that in order to make that standard, the petitioners had to take autism off the table. With the autism argument, the government wouldn’t have settled.
Ugh, reading this drives me nuts! That case AGAIN sending my blood pressure up (has anyone on “that” side cared to actually read the court papers???).
I am pretty much anti-politician altogether, not a fan of talking points! And, really Senator McCain, before you make such a statement–have a clue what you are talking about!!!! Thanks for reporting on this, I hadn’t heard anything about it.
Flutie believes that there are 2 types of autism, one you are born with and one you get.
What do you think?
I didn’t see this, but this argument is usually applied in the context of, “he/she was ‘normal’ and then he/she regressed”. Therefore, the logic goes, something had to make the regression happen.
Once you start researching mitochondrial disorders (as in the recently resolved case from the Omnubus), you see that there are genetic disorders which lead to regression. A person can appear to be progressing normally and then regress. This may be brought on by an infection.
Also, the recent studies from the MIND institute show that influences during gestation may lead to regression later on.
I’m a conservative, but McCain is not my first choice (Romney, Why? Why???)…I can’t tell you how much this IRKS the living bat-poop out of me. Talk about pandering…
McCain is correct. There is a divided opinion on this. 99.99% against vaccines/thimerosal causing a rise in autism and 0.001% for.
If McCain is willing to take the opinion of people like the Geiers, Haley, et al., we have to ask ourselves, is this the sort of person who should be taking advice about national security?
Really, think about it, the ’science’ behind some of these people makes the intelligence behind “weapons of mass destruction” look good–even now.
Argh! I just screamed when reading this. It seems ignorance is hard to stop.
My thoughts ran akin to Matt’s on that “divide”, I wondered who is advising the Senator and is this representative of a strongly held personal belief or is it off the cuff for this media op?
Given the statement by Sen. McCain, I thought this might be a good time to review his candidate policy statement on science/science education…except that I couldn’t locate one. Actually I couldn’t find an articulated point of view on special education either.
Concerning.
If you would like to contact the McCain campaign and let them know how you feel about this or to present them with some broader data/points of view than they seem to be working with
http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/
Oh, dear. That man is an idiot. What a shame. It doesn’t make any difference, but it’s still a shame.
Ohhh….I see.
Someone pointed out that Sen. McCain met a contingent from A-CHAMP in November. That might explain where this point of view came from.
I thought Doug Flutie’s son had CDD (childhood disintegrative disorder). I think that Flutie has tried to pin his son’s disease on vaccines, but without reason to. On of my favorite quotes about autism, ever, came from an article that was about Flutie and his reaction to his son’s disability. Flutie was quoted as saying, “Jeffrey Lurie, the owner of the [Philadelphia] Eagles, had a brother who was autistic who didn’t speak his first word until he was 35. He told Jeffrey, ‘Don’t talk to me like I’m an idiot.’ ”
Let’s see I guess we can segue that into… someone needs to talk to McCain because he’s talking like an idiot.
Corrections: I shouldn’t have called CDD a “disease” poor choice of a word. It’s a disorder.
And “One of my favorite quotes…” not “On of my favorite quotes…” I hate it when I can’t go back and fix errors in comments.
Wait did the brother say “Don’t talk to me like I’m an idiot, or was it Flutie that said that?
Here’s the A-Champ link:
McCain Lieberman Letter
This is one of those idle thoughts, but doesn’t it somewhat highlight the organization that those groups, even with a minority and contentious view, have in continuing to publicize and politicize this issue?
There are many fine discussions and rebuttals of those points of view within the blogosphere, but are those also being forwarded to decision and policymakers?
I regularly contact my legislators to let them know that I do not share the belief that vaccines cause autism or that my focus is primarily on that in relation to my child.
Given that there is some exhortation going on right now (I received such this A.M.) to forward the settlement decision to members of Congress as something significant, I think it might be a good time to let them know if one has a different take on the matter and supports points of view as the AAP, IOM, CDC, etc, as well as other substantive concerns with IDEA funding and regulation, transition and adult supports, evidenced-treatment, etc.
Naturally, some legislators may have their own point of view, but at some level I believe in the concept that we have a representative government that is somewhat dependent on hearing from all members of the constituency, not just the squeaky wheels.
I am curious to hear the other divided theories of cause of autism. If not vaccine, what has Senator McCain been educated on. What education steers his political position on Autism. Break it down!! By law my 5 year old son came home with education regarding meningococcal vaccine from the school http://www.sde.state.ok.us the only side effects listed are “About 1/2 of the people who gets the vaccine will have pain and redness where the shot was given.” and “Small percentage of people who get the vaccine develop a fever. Vaccines, like all medication , carry a risk of an allergic reaction, but this risk is very small.” Even acetaminophen active medication in Tylenol has more side effects than this. Please stop pulling the wool over our eyes. Break it down, McCain, what do you know specifically. Stop yanking my chain. Anything that effects the immune system is reasonably at risk for causing REAL problems! Show case those risk not fluffy one, ok!
This man is running for president, who are his informers? Where do their subjective and objective information generate from?
Guys,
This is politics. It is all subjective. It is all beliefs. Until any of the candidates are elected, the only people they have to answer to are their state constituents. If you don’t like their stand, or lack thereof, on ASD, then don’t vote for them.
Sorry Chuck.
Maybe I’m idealistic but I don’t think of politics as the goings-on of a group of “others” in DC playing with our tax money. Their beliefs do matter in policy making, and in matters of science, the science matters.
This is a representative government and we all are the body politic.
Make an informative decision based on what? My son has Autism, tell me what is subjective about his disease? Right now in lives of parents with children that has autism, some of are concerned with getting protection for our children under law. Who will step up to the plate? Imaginary ok, don’t think so! Autism is our life, everyday and it is not about what we have read, it is about our experience! I need to know more about politician decisions based on their facts brought to their table not a load of “It will be ok, okay?” I don’t want to hear this is politics…. This is real life!
Sorry about the not being able to go back and fix the comments—–will mention that to tech support….. As for what politicians ought/should know about autism: I just got back from an all-day retreat with COSAC, NJ’s main autism organization—-lots of talk about legislation and advocacy.
@Sullivan,
I think we really need to remember the “50% plus a feather argument”—-the court decision in the case of the child with the “underlying mitochondrial disorder” is not the definitive judgment that some are trumpeting it as.
@dkmnow,
yes, uninformed seems more like it!
@resilientmom,
I just have a lot of questions about the notion that one can “get” autism—–that it’s not just about the deficits in speaking, stereotypic behaviors, and other features that are used to diagnose it; that autism involves a different kind of sensory experience and experiencing of the world.
If Charlie could talk much better than he does, I don’t think he’d just start saying “the things ‘typical’ children do.”
Sorry Regan,
I am realistic. IDEA has NEVER been fully funded (6 administrations). NCLB has thrown state education budgets and policies into turmoil since it’s creation. I have worked directly or indirectly with multiple departments in the federal government since the end of the Reagan administration. I live in the metro DC area. Flip-flop is a political term for a very good reason. Politician’s beliefs are always subject to change. Science might matter, but it is still subject to politics, hence the existence of FDA, NIH, NIMH, CDC, IOM, HHS, (The list of political acronyms is as limitless and varied as the number of federal department heads)
Hey Chuck,
Thanks for your point of view.
I used to work for for a Federal agency, and am aware of the headaches of changes of administration and the vagaries of politics, but I still believe in each citizen’s right, and perhaps even responsibility, of registering their opinion on public topics and legislation with elected representatives. Perhaps not realistic, but I think I’ll still continue.
Regards.
CBS’s Kevin Drum on McCain’s Junk Science—–”So what happened here? Why did McCain perpetuate this rubbish without even a smidgen of doubt in his voice?”
Dear God people I have a child with autism, can hardly believe that you do not believe that autism is on the rise, I am moving on to another website, this is just too political. I am happy that McCain is looking into thimerosal as a possible cause. Thimerosal is MERCURY, it is poison.
Just be informed about FISH these days, but they shoot it into 18 month old babies!!! That would be MERCURY or thimerosol. Sigh…..
18 month old babies do not have the central nervous system to take it, yes it seems that it can cause damage.
If a child is developing normally, then stops, well that it is enough for me.
As a parent who also has a child that just litterally days after her shots at 18 months old did not talk until her little sister 6 years later tried to develope words. She is 14 now with lots of challanges. When we talked to her pediatrician and asked about the therimisol link possibility, I was asked to speak to him behind closed doors:”This conversation ends now! I do not want my medical practice took away!” For all those who do not have children or do with no “challanged children” and side with the propaganda…What IF your child suddenly changed and has multiple behaviors that just prior to the shots had no problems…It is like anyone can talk until they walk in the shoes of others. Oregon is the highest in the U.S. cesus with Autism- less than1/100 IF your were a betting parent would you take the chance with those odds for your child to get those shots?. The CDC states 1/66 chance if born twin boys. In Oregon the stats are if you start in kindergarden, by senior year you will have graduated with at least one student who is Autistic. There are many who BASH BUSH but the facts are that when the home security act went before congress at the last minute the Liberal Party and Democratic Party joined adding PORK stating if anyone who found this link to be proven true could not sue the pharmacudical goverment. As you know the bill passed. President Bush being unable to change in time put a tag on it after so many years it could be opened for investigation. Answer me that! I would hope anyone who chooses to say that any parent who has a childs life and that families life changed forever due to shot/link is just imagining things would have the BOLDNESS OR EMAIL me with their address. 139 s.w. berry ln roseburg oregon 97470.
Thomas Jefferson said “If enough good people do nothing EVIL WILL PREVAIL. Which are you?
Oh no. Your child might know an autistic child.
The horror.
The conspiracy theories, they burn. Can tinfoil poisoning be cured by chelation?
Wake up everyone the cdc just admitted fault through vaccines with the Poling case. Do your research!
I have a son who had a BAD reaction an MMR shot in 1995, this is when thimerosol was in this shot, my son now has PDD. Just argue with a person in my shoes. I also almost lost him in this process, due to someone NOT watching a stupid thimerosol preservative in shots, thimerosol is MERCURY, in case people do not know, it affects some and does not affect others. Unfortunately my child was affected. I am happy that John Mc Cain is bringing this up and I will vote for him on this fact alone, period.
http://www.umdf.org
Brain. grow one.
@Regina Sarno,
More precisely, the government conceded that Hannah Poling’s underlying mitochondrial disorder/dysfunction was aggravated by vaccines, and that this led to symptoms of autism.
http://www.autismvox.com/the-case-of-hannah-poling/
Another point of correction: MMR has never and will never contain thimerosal. It can’t. Thimerosal would kill the weakened viruses in it.
Also, the CDC didn’t concede liability, it was the HHS.
Also, what Kristina said.