Traditionally we've understood that the protection provided by vaccines far outweighed the risks for our children. The latest conference on autism, however, brought about some very chilling information that every parent should be aware of. The level of mercury that the average vaccinated child is exposed to is at least 237 micrograms by the age of two, representing more than 3.25 times the safe level set by the EPA. Researchers are finding a connection between the increasing numbers of Autistic children and the vaccination standards. It is estimated that autism now represents 1 of 150 vaccinated children. Mercury creates "Mad Hatter's Disease". You may recognize this from the character in Alice in Wonderland. Years ago the stiffening agent for top hats was a form of mercury. The vapors from the hat making process caused mercury poisoning and hence insanity. It is interesting to note the descriptions of mercury poisoning and those of autism. They are virtually identical and include symptoms like damage to brain, nerve cells, and eyes. It also affects the immune system, gastrointestinal system, muscle control and the speech center of the brain. Sallie Bernard has produced a landmark study-Autism: A Unique Type of Mercury Poisoning. * She outlines this association very clearly.

When infants receive massive doses of thimerosal, a form of mercury, the build up of mercury increases in the child with each vaccination. Not every child contracts autism, most of us have less susceptibility due to our body's ability to rid itself of the poison. Note that to rid the body of mercury the body must produce bile. Infants don't generally produce bile until after the age of six months. Mercury accumulates in the brain and nerve tissues, a blood brain barrier does not exist in an infant to stop the mercury from going directly to delicate nerve tissue. Once in the system, thimerosal is converted to it's organic form ethylmercury. Ethylmercury has affinity to nerve tissue and becomes tightly bound to those tissues.

Though the EPA has done toxicity studies on mercury exposures and set the above mentioned safe levels, the EPA does not have jurisdiction over drugs or vaccinations. The FDA is responsible for this type of testing. It is interesting to see how the FDA has spoken out about thimerosal. In vaccines they have pronounced that it is safe, yet in 1998 they stated; "...over the counter drug products containing thimerosal and other mercury forms are not generally recognized as safe and effective." Research also found that approximately 70% of those who sit on the FDA Committee regulating vaccinations either hold patents for vaccines, are on the payroll of vaccination producing pharmaceutical companies or have other monetary interests that not generally recognized as safe and effective." Research are driven by pharmaceutical sales. There appears to be a strong conflict of interest here. Can we be getting unbiased research under these circumstances?

Andrew Wakefield is a British surgeon who has discovered that there may be another non-mercury vaccine that contributes as well to the autism incidence. The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) is implicated in his research finding to cause a measles contamination of the bowels. He found that in his autistic patients, three fourths of them suffered from swelling and irritation to the bowels. This condition is called "leaky gut", and resembles the measles contamination associated with the one found in many MMR vaccinated individuals. Dr. Wakefield has linked the virus presence in his autistic patients specifically to the measles vaccine in the MMR shot.

In the review of the symposium on Autism that was held in September 2000, it was clear that "fixing autism" after it begins is seldom effective. The emphasis is better placed on reducing our children's exposure to both mercury laden and the current version of the measles vaccine.

Every state has different policies about immunizations. Many individuals choose to wait to immunize their children after they are 1-2 years old, and only allow 1 immunization at a time, waiting at least a two weeks between shots so as not to risk a negative synergistic affect on their immune systems. Some don't immunize at all. You do have a choice about what you'll do. Educate yourself on the vaccination research and make an informed decision.