Further Conclusions and Studies Needed to Discern a Veritable, Universal Truth

The issue regarding the correlation between vaccines and autism is heavily speculated upon. Scientists, doctors, and researchers of all backgrounds have yet to agree on this controversy. Those who support the supposition that vaccinations are the deliberate cause of autism believe that the gathered evidence suggests there is a significant connection. Those who deny the supposition that vaccines are the deliberate cause of autism believe that other factors are involved, including genetic and environmental components. Some scientists advocate the idea that there needs to be more focus on treatment, instead of autism’s cause. Until there is further conclusive research gathered, the theories of vaccines’ relation to autism can be debated. While there is more hard evidence to falsify the causation of vaccines triggering autism, one must carefully consider all of the evidence presented by various sources.

Figures and Graphs

Figure 1. The upward trend of autism diagnos-           Figure 2. The upward trend of new diag-

is with adverse effects. Reprinted from “Early            nosed cases of autism between 1992 and

Downward Trends in Neurodevelopmental Disord-    2006. “Early Downward Trends in Neuro-

ers Following Removal of Thimerosal-Contain-         developmental Disorders Following Re-

ing Vaccines, by D. A. G. Geier, 2006, Retrieved       moval of Thimersoal-Containing Vaccines,

from http://jpands.org/vol11no1/geier.pdf. Copy-       by D. A. G. Geier, 2006. Retrieved from        

right 2006 by David Geier. Reprinted with per-          http://jpands.org/vol11no1/geier.pdf. Copy-

mission.                                                                        right 2006 by David Geier. Reprinted with

                                                                                    permission.  

Argumental Evidence in Support of the Absence of an Affirmed Determination on the Issue

    While there is evidence to both support and falsify corroboration for vaccines causing autism, some researchers do not have a definitive viewpoint on the issue. Dr. Amy Pakula, a developmental pediatrician at Emory Center, argues that further research is needed to validate either argument. Others base their viewpoints on statistics, including facts such as “500,000 Americans are autistic, but that number is growing daily” (“Autism & Vaccines: A New Look at an Old Story”). While Dr. Pakula agrees that statistics of autism diagnosis are higher now than in the past, she mentions that “a part of this lies in the broader awareness of symptoms,” while also stating, “no evidence exists for a causal relation between vaccines and autism” (2009). According to Dr. Pakula (2009), there is also a strong scientific background in the belief that a mixture of errant genes causes autism, and not vaccines.

The Great Debate Regarding Vaccine Additives

The topic of mercurial additives in vaccines has been an issue for concern. Pakula mentions that thimerosal, a “mercury-based compound previously used as a vaccine preservative,” (2009) has been removed from current vaccines because of the speculation that it causes autism. In 1999, the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) regulated that thimerosal be taken out of vaccinations (Offit, 2007). According to Dr. Paul Offit, cases beginning in 2000 documented parents who were concerned their children had autism due to faulty vaccinations. However, Dr. Offit argues, the hysteria and media attention “diverted attention and resources away from efforts to determine the real causes...of the disorder” (2007). Likewise, Dr. Pakula points out that Denmark has not had thimerosal in their vaccines for years, but “none of these changes have produced a decline in autism” (2009). Both doctors still argue for further research, as ultimately, until there is more solidifying evidence, the future will dictate the theory that vaccines cause autism.

Utilization of the Hannah Poling Case as Evidence for the Unknown   

There is an argument for defining what exactly the criteria is that determines a vaccine’s harm to those who are injected, writes Dr. Paul A. Offit (2008). His particular argument comes from the controversial Hannah Poling Case. When Poling was 19 months old, she received five vaccines. While described as a “interactive, playful,” young girl, Poling became “lethargic, irritable, and febrile” (2008) only ten days after vaccination. She was diagnosed with encephalopathy caused by a mitochondrial disease, while exhibiting autistic features (2008). Poling began to display symptoms of autism in time. The Polings took the case public, with clinicians at a loss for what had happened, when federal health officials had declared vaccines do not cause autism. In Hannah’s case, Offit points out that Hannah was troubled with bodily “challenges” before the vaccines were administered to her. There is no clear evidence supporting the fact that the vaccines triggered Hannah’s mitochondrial disease, and, as a result, her autistic characteristics as well. Offit states “no clear evidence exists that vaccines cause [autism]” and argues that the “the message [of vaccination’s harm] will further erode confidence in vaccines” (2008).

Argumental Evidence in Support of the Theory That Vaccines are Not a Cause of Autism

    Some literature that pertains to vaccines and autism is of the viewpoint that vaccines, or any vaccine component, has no correlation with autism. One of the most appropriate pieces of evidence is a study done by Frank DeStefano, Crisofer Price, and Eric S. Weintraub (2012). The methodology of this study is extremely thorough and eliminates many gaps in data from the design. For three groups of children (birth to three months old, birth to seven months, and birth to two years), the cumulative amounts of antigen exposure were calculated based on the children’s medical charts and compared with children that have already been diagnosed with autism (DeStefano, Price, & Weintraub, 2012). This was done in order to see if there was a greater amount of immunologic activity in the autistic children than in the control group (DeStefano, Price, & Weintraub, 2012). The discussion further draws the conclusion that there is no correlation between immunologic activity, vaccines, and autism, and goes on to suggest that the debate questioning whether vaccines cause autism has little evidence behind it because autism is known to be a genetic disorder that develops when a child is in the womb (DeStefano, Price, & Weintraub, 2012). Most of the focus does not pertain to the findings of the study, because the data presented speaks for itself: A majority is an evaluation of the verifiability of the study. Various weaknesses are pointed out and justified with real data pulled to show examples (DeStefano, Price, & Weintraub, 2012). According to DeStefano, Price, and Weintraub (2012), these weaknesses include but are not limited to: “take into account all of the antibody-stimulating proteins and polysaccharides in each vaccine… Admittedly, this approach assumes that all proteins and polysaccharides in a vaccine evoke equivalent immune responses.” This is justified by a statement just after the above quotation stating that the estimates calculated are “a valid relative ranking of the antigen content of vaccines” (DeStefano, Price, & Weintraub, 2012). Most of the other pieces of literature that do not support an association between vaccines and autism do not provide as detailed a discussion of the verifiability of the results.

MMR  Vaccine Doses and Possible Independence From Autism

    A handful of literature surrounding this highly debated issue focuses on a possible correlation between the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination (MMR) and autism. One of the most well-advised analyses took place in Denmark in the 1990s (Madsen et al., 2002). All of the children born in Denmark during this decade were evaluated based on data from the Danish Civil Registry for the vaccines they received, particularly MMR, and whether they were diagnosed with autism (Madsen et al., 2002). The conclusion drawn from the data remains: “This disquisition provides three strong arguments against a causal relation between MMR vaccination and autism. First, the risk of autism was similar in vaccinated and unvaccinated children, in both age-adjusted and fully adjusted analyses. Second, there was no temporal clustering of cases of autism at any time after immunization. Third, neither autistic disorder nor other autistic-spectrum disorders were associated with MMR vaccination” (Madsen et al., 2002). The discussion of verifiability of results is not as extensive as DeStefano, Price, and Weintraub’s, but is sufficient and points out that weaknesses in the design include that there was no documentation whether the children with autism had a family history or if it was a regressive autistic disorder (Madsen et al., 2002). The last piece of literature discussing an association between the MMR vaccination and autism is an article by Dr. Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health and the lead research behind the Human Genome Project (2015).  Dr. Collins (2015) introduces a scenario that determines whether children who have an older sibling with ASD are more likely to be diagnosed with autism. The answer to this question proved yes, but Collins (2015) included that the study also found children who had received the MMR vaccination were not more likely to be diagnosed. He goes on to denote that vaccines should be given not only because of the almost, in his opinion, nonexistent data supporting that vaccines cause autism, but that the illnesses contracted can be fatal if the proper vaccine is not administered (Collins, 2015).

Thimerosal’s Alarming Effects Despite Autism

    Thimerosal is a topic for concern, as some scientists theorize it playing a role in triggering autism for those who are vaccinated. Brian J. Catton (2015) writes, “Thimerosal, a preservative found in several vaccines was created in 1927. [It] contains almost 50% mercury by weight and is broken down to ethyl-Hg hydroxide and ethyl-Hg chloride in aqueous saline solutions that can be toxic to human cells.” Thimerosal has not been shown to have any correlation with autism according to Catton’s data, but it has been removed from most vaccines anyway (Catton, 2015).

California Department of Developmental Services Data

    Two investigations use a very particular data source: the California Department of

Developmental Services System (CDDS). Frank DeStefano and Robert T. Chen (2001) provide reason to doubt the data from this source. The scientists point out that over the amount of time the CDDS has existed, the diagnostic criteria for autism has changed and more people in the population are aware of and can recognize autism (DeStefano & Chen, 2001). Also, they point out that accurate numbers of autistic children in the state are hard to account for. “Trying to correlate changes in vaccination schedules and coverage, however, is very difficult on a state or national level because many other factors also changed over the same time period,” suggest Destefano and Chen (2001). Both studies (Dales, Hammer, & Smith, 2001) and (Schechter & Grether, 2007) provide justification for the use of this data despite the convincing argument proposed by DeStefano and Chen.

    One study led by Drs. Dales, Hammer, and Smith (2001) recognizes that the CDDS warns their data is not sufficient for vaccines and autism studies. The methodology would be solid if a better data source than the CDDS was used, and the objective was to determine if an association exists between the MMR vaccine and autism. This was determined by evaluating children enrolled in kindergartens across the state from 1980-1994 and if they had received MMR and if they were diagnosed with autism (Dales, Hammer, & Smith, 2001). The conclusion states that the study would be more reliable if a link between autism diagnosis and immunization records existed for individual children and if the specific vaccine or series of vaccines was specified: “Data used in this study does not provide precise quantification of the percentages of children who received the combined MMR vaccine product versus separate injections of the measles, mumps, and/or rubella components” (Dales, Hammer, & Smith, 2001). This study did not support an association between vaccines, specifically MMR, and autism, though it was certainly not the most well-designed.

    Another study conducted by Robert Schechter and Judith K. Grether used the CDDS as its data source (2007). This study focused more on the hypothesis that thimerosal can cause autism and used the data of children aged three to five years old from 1989-2003 (Schechter & Grether, 2007).  The conclusion stated was synonymous with the other pieces of literature in this section, specifically that no decrease in the frequency of autism cases occurred despite the fact that thimerosal was removed from most vaccines during the period of time in which the study took place (Schechter & Grether, 2007). This study, like the other that used the CDDS as a data source, did not have hardly any justification of the use of the CDDS, but does point out that the CDDS was not designed for use in studies such as Dales, Hammer, & Smith’s and Schechter & Grether’s. (Schechter & Grether, 2007).

Argumental Evidence in Support of the Theory That Vaccinations Are a Direct Cause of Autism

   Over the course of many years, people from all walks of life have brought the theory that vaccines and autism are immediately related to the table. The majority of people would agree that “autism, once rare, is now more prevalent than childhood cancer, diabetes, and down syndrome” (Geier & Geier, 2006). This conclusion seems to be highly unreasonable considering the leaps modern medicine has taken by vaccinating children at a young age so they are no longer as susceptible to life-threatening illnesses such as measles and mumps, that effortlessly took many lives less than a hundred years ago. However, like many others, research scientists Bernard Rimland and Woody McGinnis (2002)  believe that “vaccinations may be one of the triggers for autism,” a mental condition often characterized by difficulties in areas like communication, relationships with others, and language. Geier and Geier (2006) further agree that these trends were first accounted for in America during the 1990s and “cannot be explained by immigration changed diagnostic criteria, or improved identification,” which has led to further research to pinpoint a cause elsewhere.

Mercury’s Possible Relationship with Autism

    Seeing as the number of autistic children has increased worldwide at a somewhat steady rate, one could conjecture that this elevation could be an effect of the “worldwide increase of mercury exposure through fish and industrial sources” (Mutter, Naumann, Schneider, Walach, & Haley, 2005). Supplementary evidence connecting the two elements has been observed through the obtention of hair. Further conclusions have been made, according to the Holmes study, that show elevated levels of mercury, lead, and uranium in older children with autism compared to 40 controls (Mutter et al., 2005). However, Mutter et al., (2005) further demonstrated that other toxic metals  such as “aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, or beryllium” indicated no unusual inflated trends or differences. This highlights mercury as a possible underlying cause of autism.

Thimerosal’s Plausible Association with Autism

    Geier and Geier (2006) have found that studies have been somewhat successful in proving that certain, precise concentrations of thimerosal are “capable of inducing neuronal death, neurodegeneration, membrane damage, and DNA damage within hours of exposure.” Additionally, vaccination schedules of children who suddenly regressed support the theory that “autistic histories are often positive for high thimerosal doses” received by means of vaccines (Rimland & McGinnis, 2002). Furthermore, Rimland and McGinnis (2002) postulate that the presence of thimerosal, specifically by means of vaccines, has the ability to trigger a multitude of issues such as “direct neurotoxic, immunodepressive, and autoimmune injury,” which can consequently cause forms of early-onset or regressive autism. Many indisputable facts are displayed via tables, equations, and timelines in the compilation of research by Geier and Geier (2006), as shown in Appendix A, that measure the correlation between thimerosal and ASD. Conclusively, a sizable “government-sponsored thimerosal study is not comforting” to say the least (Rimland & McGinnis, 2002).

The Rising Number of Autistic Children in the US

Though it has not been completely validated as outright truth or proven absolutely false, some conclude that “autism may very well be nature’s way of demonstrating a subgroup of CVID children vulnerable to vaccine injury” (Rimland & McGinnis, 2002). To further prove their case, Tomljenovic and Shaw (2011)  argue that a case study with detailed investigation of “vaccination records and Al body burden measurements (i.e., hair, urine, blood) in autistic children would be one step toward this goal.” With these other constituents and factors in mind, many would concur with the proposition that further research should be undertaken regarding the roles of vaccines containing mercury, aluminum, and thimerosal in children with autism due to highly telling trends (Geier & Geier, 2006). Despite this overwhelming evidence, “published science and clinical experience are converging rapidly” to form a concise and accurate image for autism and the case of its relation to vaccines (Rimland & McGinnis, 2002).

Substantial Evidence Pertaining to the Great Debate of the Possible Correlation Between Vaccines and Autism: A Literature Review

I. The Abstract

 

Vaccines and autism may be linked due to certain components found within vaccinations. These components may cause an increased chance of autism in children who are routinely vaccinated compared to those who are not. Most data was found through taking surveys and polls from official establishments such as the California Department of Developmental Services (CDDS) that attempted to count and chart the amount of children with autistic characteristics compared to those who displayed no autistic characteristics. There are also statements and evidence found in various public articles. Some findings point toward there being no relation between the vaccines and autism; however, others allege there is a need for further research, with other investigation tactics being non-conclusive. The end result is that there is no concrete conclusion reached with the given evidence, and more research would need is crucial for definitive resolution.

 



Outline (Rough Draft)

This outline is the epitome of rough; sorry for any confusion

I. Abstract

II.       Vaccines DO Cause Autism

A.     “Vaccines and Autism” by Bernard Rimland PhD and Woody McGinnnis MD

1.      Review

2.      “Autism may very well be nature’s way of demonstrating a subgroup of common variable immunodeficiency children vulnerable to vaccine injury.” 

B.     “Do aluminum vaccine adjuvants contribute to the rising prevalence of autism?”

1.      Pdf Article

2.      validity of study is yet to be determined, but study says that Aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines could be one cause of rising ASD.

C.     “Mercury and Autism: Accelerating Evidence?”

1.      Study

2.      vaccines causing autism is not as simple as it sounds. this study suggests that ASD could result from genetically eligible children exposed to mercury in vitro and from vaccines.

D.     Early Downward Trends in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Following Removal of Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines”

1. Study
2. Mercury exposure from maternal dental work could combine with exposure from vaccines to be a cause of ASD. It also states in the conclusion that more research to validify these results.

II.    Vaccines DO NOT Cause Autism

A.     “Autism and measles-mumps-rubella vaccination: controversy laid to rest?”

1.      Article/Review

2.      This article discusses the Wakefield paper which brought the idea that vaccines cause autism to the forefront, and refutes that study with various others that drew conclusions opposing those of the Wakefield paper. Also points out that MMR is not the only vaccine (or vaccine component) targeted for supposedly causing ASD.

B.     “No Link Between MMR Vaccine and Autism, Even In High-Risk Kids”

1.      Article

2.      Basically says studies have determined no link between vaccines and autism.

C.    “Immunizations Update in the pediatric population”

1.      Gale Article

2.      Expresses parent’s concern of thimerosal in vaccines. Points out that no studies have definitive proof that vaccines and autism are related.

D.     “Increasing Exposure to Antibody-Stimulating Proteins and Polysaccharides in Vaccines Is Not Associated with Risk of Autism”

1.      Study

2.      “ In this study of MCO members, increasing exposure to antibody-stimulating proteins and polysaccharides in vaccines during the first 2 years of life was not related to the risk of developing an ASD.

E.      “Time Trends in Autism and in MMR Immunization Coverage in California”

1.      Study

2.      No correlation was found between early childhood MMR immunization rates and numbers of children with autism enrolled in California’s regional service center system.

F.    “A Population-Based Study of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination and Autism”

1.      Study

2.      Has 3 strong arguments against an association between vaccines and autism: risk was similar in vaccinated and unvaccinated children, no clustering of autism cases at any point after immunization, and ASD nor AD was associated with MMR vaccination.

G.     “Continuing Increases in Autism Reported to California’s Developmental Services System”

1.      Study

2.      Relation to Early Downward Trends… This study refutes that study’s conclusions based on the findings. “If Thimerosal exposure is a primary cause of autism, then the prevalence of autism would be predicted to decrease.”

III. Not Determined (Neither For or Against)

A.     “Do vaccines cause autism?”

1.      Review

2.      There should be alot more research to determine if a relation between autism and vaccines exists. The author points out that ASD is not known to have one specific cause, and several genes have some currently unknown relation to ASD as well.

B.     “Autism and Vaccines: A New Look At An Old Story”

1.      Article

2.      Basically pulls from a bunch of different sources and presents various viewpoints, thus there is no conclusion as there would be in a study.

C.     “Thimerosal and Vaccines- A Cautionary Tale”

1.      Article

2.     Encourages that thimerosal dosen’t have anything to do with autism but also does not provide much reasoning as to why it has been removed from most vaccines; simply recounts the process of taking out thimerosal and its effects on how people see the vaccines and autism debate.

D.    “Vaccines and Autism Revisited- The Hannah Poling Case”

1.      Article

2.     Hannah Poling developed autism after recieving several vaccines, and her parents sued the DHHS. Hannah however was a very unique case because of encephalopathy as the article points out as well.


IV. Need for Further Conclusions or Studies

Appendix I: Figures and Graphs