June of 2002 saw Representative Dan Burton (R-Indiana) bringing Autism back into the forefront of congressional investigation. His stand was very clear and while various health agency officials from the CDC, NIH and FDA attempted to evade direct questions aimed at them by the Congressman, he stated his opinions and threatened to use his subpoena power to obtain information that seemed to be "unavailable" at this hearing. The implication? Criminal charges could be filed against any agency or company who continued putting additives in vaccines for children if they knew that these additives could put children at risk for Autism. Burton stated, "I don't think it makes any difference whether it's a private company or a government agency. If they know they're harming somebody and they continue to let it happen, then they should be held accountable."

In this most recent hearing, it was learned that the FDA has ordered all thimerosal out of the production of any vaccinations that will be used for children. When questioned repeatedly as to the reason for this decision, the answer given by Dr. Karen Midthun (Director of the Office of Vaccine Research & Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research, FDA), was that it was advisable to reduce exposure to mercury anywhere it is possible in the environment and therefore reducing it in vaccinations was an easy way to accomplish that goal. She would not state whether she believed there was a connection between Autism and Thimerosal but continued to reiterate that it was a "precautionary measure." When Burton questioned Dr. Midthun on the precautionary measure as being evidence of a theoretical risk and wanted to know why a recall wasn't happening, no answer was ever given to satisfy the questioning panel.

The issue that brought the hearing to the threat of the use of subpoena power was the inability of anyone to answer that one simple question. How many shots are there in a lot of vaccinations? There are two lots of the DtaP vaccine available to physicians and medical facilities at this time that contain Thimerosal. The FDA has refused a recall stating that they can only legally do a recall if the product in question is an "imminent or substantial hazard to the public health." Dr. Midthun said that they are unable to do a recall under the Public Health Service Act however a manufacturer can recall an ingredient or product of their own volition. When questioned if the FDA would simply write a letter to the manufacturer to let them know of the FDA concern and the Congressional Hearing's concern, the answers became more vague and Burton became visibly more frustrated.

Although the IOM (Institute of Medicine) has consistently denied a casual link between the MMR and any other vaccines, with or without thimerosal, and Autism, the Congressman is not convinced by the studies. Accountability seems to be the heart of the issue for not only the congressional committee but for thousands of parents with children with Autism. It has been revealed that previous studies from the IOM have been either flawed or lacking in all the facts and therefore slanted to the advantage of the health agencies. The most recent reports from the IOM, restate there are no connections between the increase in Autism and the MMR, suggesting only that further research would be advisable. This is the issue that Representative Burton has proved he will not dismiss until he is satisfied with the answers. It is also the issue that causes parents to wonder if a cover-up exists to protect the pharmaceutical companies as well as the federal health care agencies. Representative Burton pointed out time and time again during the hearing his suspicion that there was a serious financial issue involved with the lack of a recall as those two lots, which he estimated to be thousands and thousands of shots, would cost the manufacturer a large sum of money. To quote Congressman Burton, "…I suspect that those lots have a lot of shots in them and there is a lot of money involved, a lot of money involved. And as a result, they want to sell those before they go ahead and get their lots of individual shots up to snuff. And I think it is money. I really believe that. And I think there is mercury in those vaccines."

The same ground continues to hashed and rehashed but this year with the threat of a subpoena, the hearings are taking a more serious tone. It would appear that possibly this issue may be forced to a head by a house representative who has a grandson with Autism and will not let the issue be forgotten. It is possible, just possible, that this may be the year the answers will begin to come to the forefront regarding Thimerosal. Which may stop the epidemic of Autism from its horrendous increase, an increase which if thought about is very easy to confirm and brings questions along of its own. For now, the question remains: What about the money involved and exactly how much money is this going to cost the United States?

Next page > What Kind Of Money Are We Talking About Here? > Page 1, 2, 3, 4

U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA), co-chairman and founder of the congressional autism caucus, Coalition for Autism Research and Education (C.A.R.E.), has introduced legislation that will for the first time ever, dedicate federal funds to better train teachers who work with students with autism.
Read about the efforts to improve education for our children.

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