Mick, you’re responding to me regarding Kev’s blog, where he posted an opinion by a third person.

Either way, it is perfectly valid to say there is no link even if there’s simply absence of evidence. But there’s more than absence of evidence, clearly.

So it seems to me from your reply that there “may” be a plausible link,

No, I don’t think a link is plausible at the moment. The fact that studies might have limitations is not enough to conclude a link is plausible. Otherwise, it will be plausible for ever.

“There are numerous studies whose data do not support an association between thimerosal and autism. Of course, these are retrospective ecological studies and therefore not perfect.”

You sound very sure of yourself when you wrote your blog that there is “NO” link. For example, “The scientific evidence indicates no difference in the incidence of autism between those who are vaccinated and those who are not. There is also no difference in the incidence of autism between those who received vaccines containing thimerosal and those who did not.”
So it seems to me from your reply that there “may” be a plausible link, just as you believe there MAY not, due to the vague science that has been done so far. And why do vaccine manufacturers test new vaccine against an adjuvant like Aluminum? As oppose to testing it against saline?

It also occurs to me that what we should really be focusing on is encephalitis and the immunological effects of continued brain inflammation and what effect this has on possible auto-immunity, ASD’s, and the like.

Thimerosol does cross the blood brain barrier, just as aluminum does and that may cause encephalitis and alter normal immunologic action.

I agree that using a blanket statement like thimerosal causes Autism is silly due to the mass amount of immunological, biochemical and physiological functions that take place upon vaccination, none the less, I believe the debate is the increase in the amount of vaccines, and the fact that new vaccines are being mandated at a staggering rate.
People are “skeptical” because they see a definite, albeit, coincidental change in their children following vaccination, and because they don’t have M.D.’s and Ph.D’s after their names, they are being ignored.

In the U.S. our vaccine schedule is the most numerous. When compared to other countries, like G.B., Denmark, Canada, these countries have less mandatory vaccine and as a result may not be hitting a threshold that may result in ASD’s as we do here in the U.S. To my knowledge, the “one size fits all”, mentality is having an ill effect, as well as, how many antigens are being injected in one visit. The shots are also close together and done at a verey early point in a childs life.
Trying to learn as much as I can regarding safety and effectiveness.
Regards,
Mick

To me, these studies – whilst being of service – have limitations. Of more importance in terms of a vaccine link to autism is – is there any reason to suppose that is a link? So far, there’s not.

There are numerous studies whose data do not support an association between thimerosal and autism. Of course, these are retrospective ecological studies and therefore not perfect. (An ideal study will probably never be done for ethical reasons). It’s pretty easy to be picky and point to various study limitations and remain “skeptical” of a lack of association.

The most convincing fact that demonstrates a lack of association, in my view, is that the thimerosal hypothesis resulted in policy shifts which have not produced any tangible results whatsoever in many countries around the world.

Anyone who distrusts science (which seems to be the case of most alt-med and anti-vax types) can go and check California DDS data for themselves and graph the 3-5 cohort. The fact is that a quick phase-out of most thimerosal from pediatric vaccines did not even cause the trend to flinch a little.

After learning this, the excuses from anti-vaxers are frankly irrational (e.g. it’s the crematoriums, or the darned immigrants, or the darned conspirators are still giving out vaccines manufactured in the 90s!) and don’t actually explain anything.

Whenever irrational excuses of this nature are given to counter facts in evidence, that’s when you know actual closed-mindedness (not the skeptic’s so-called closed-mindedness) has taken place.

Ah, but EVERYONE knows autism is worse than cancer, AIDS, or death.