Autism's False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure

NOTES

Introduction

The two best sources for information about the 1916 polio epidemic in New York City are Haven Emerson, A Monograph on the Epidemic of Poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis) (New York: Arno Press, 1977), and Naomi Rogers, Dirt and Disease: Polio Before FDR (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1992).

xix New York City epidemic: John Paul, A History of Poliomyelitis (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1971); Tony Gould, A Summer Plague: Polio and Its Survivors (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1995); Jane Smith, Patenting the Sun: Polio and the Salk Vaccine (New York: Morrow, 1990); Roland Berg, Polio and Its Problems (Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1948); Richard Carter, Breakthrough: The Saga of Jonas Salk (New York: Trident Press, 1966); Greer Williams, Virus Hunters (New York: Knopf, 1960); Aaron Klein, Trial by Fury (New York: Scribner’s, 1972); John R. Wilson, Margin of Safety (New York: Doubleday, 1963); Al Burns, “The Scourge of 1916: America’s First and Worst Polio Epidemic,” American Legion Magazine, September 1966; “All United to Check Infantile Paralysis,” New York Times, June 30, 1916; “Day Shows 12 Dead by Infant Paralysis,” New York Times, July 2, 1916; “Bar All Children from the Movies in Paralysis War,” New York Times, July 4, 1916; “Infantile Paralysis a Scourge and Puzzle,” New York Times, July 9, 1916; “Believes Paralysis a Throat Infection: Dr. Bryant Says Germs Attack Only Membranes in the Air Passages of Head,” New York Times, July 10, 1916; “31 Die of Paralysis; 162 More Ill in City,” New York Times, July 15, 1916; “Suggests Serum for All Children: Dr. Zinghar Thinks Paralysis Might Be Checked by Using It as Preventive,” New York Times, August 15, 1916; “Fears Subway Flies Help Spread Plague: Edward Hatch, Jr., Asserts That Millions Breed in Refuse Left in Excavations,” New York Times, August 18, 1916; “Drop in Paralysis Encourages City: Daily Average of New Cases in New York Falls from 173 to 131,” New York Times, August 18, 1916; “Doctors at Odds About Paralysis; Sheffield Advises and Lovett Opposes Use of Strychnine and Massage; Adrenaline Is Recommended,” New York Times, August 20, 1916; “Oyster Bay Revolts Over Poliomyelitis,” New York Times, August 29, 1916; “Paralysis Defers College Openings,” New York Times, August 31, 1916; “Meltzer Assails Auto-Inoculation; Rockefeller Institute Scientist Would Forbid Its Use in Paralysis Cases; Serum from Horse Blood; Physicians in This City See Value in Its Administration—Chickens Blamed for Epidemic,” New York Times, September 2, 1916; “Let Children Romp as Epidemic Wanes,” New York Times, September 5, 1916; “Believes Mosquito Spreads Paralysis: Dr. C. S. Braddock, Jr., Asserts That Careful Observations Support Theory,” New York Times, September 9, 1916.

xix Retan: Wilson, Margin of Safety, 15.

1. The Tinderbox

1 Kanner study: L. Kanner, “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact,” Nervous Child 2 (1943): 217-50.

1 Kanner and Donald: Ibid.

2 Ken Curtis: Cited in U.S. Congress, Autism: Present Challenges, Future Needs, 52.

2 Kanner and innate inability: Kanner, “Autistic Disturbances”; emphasis added.

2 Kanner and parents: Ibid.

3 Bettelheim: Grinker, Unstrange Minds, 78-83.

3 The Empty Fortress: B. Betteleheim, The Empty Fortress: Infantile Autism and the Birth of the Self (New York: Free Press, 1972).

4 Schreibman on behavior therapy: Schreibman, Science and Fiction, 133.

4 Curtis on financial burdens: Cited in U.S. Congress, Autism: Present Challenges, Future Needs, 52.

4 Smythe: Cited in ibid., 58.

4 Self-injurious behaviors: Schreibman, Science and Fiction, 47-48.

5 Matthew Israel: Cited in A. Paterson, “New Autism Treatment: Cruel or Effective?” A Current Affair, August 14, 2007, http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=286293.

5 Stable: Cited in A. Baker and L. Kaufman, “Autistic Boy Is Slashed to Death and His Father Is Charged,” New York Times, November 23, 2006.

5 Lash: Cited in T. Jackman and S. McCrummen, “Ex-Bush Aide Fatally Shoots Son, Himself,” Washington Post, July 15, 2006.

5 DeGroot: Cited in D. Reynolds, “Autistic Teen Struggled to Get Out of Blazing Apartment,” http://www.raggededgemagazine.com/ide/crime_and_violence/002145.html.

5 McCarron: Cited in K. McDonald, “Mom Tried to O.D. After Killing Child,” January 28, 2007, Quad-Cities Online, http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=288998.

6 Cottrell: Cited in K. Christopher, “Autistic Boy Killed During Exorcism,” http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2843/is_6_27/ai_110575754/print; “Autistic Boy Dies at Faith Healing Service,” http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Midwest/08/24/autistic.boy.death.

6 Biklen on facilitated communication: “Prisoners of Silence,” Frontline, October 19, 1993.

6 Biklen and Sawyer discuss technique: “After the Storm: Free from Silence,” Primetime Live, January 23, 1992.

7 Quotes from autistic children: Ibid.

7 Kochmeister, Smith, and Hayduke: “Prisoners of Silence,” Frontline, October 19, 1993; “Less than a Miracle,” 60 Minutes, February 20, 1994.

8 Sawyer and awakening: “After the Storm: Free from Silence,” Primetime Live, January 23, 1992.

8 CBS Evening News: “Less than a Miracle,” 60 Minutes, February 20, 1994.

8 Schreibman: Schreibman, Science and Fiction, 206.

8 Allen: “Facilitated Communication for Autistic Children,” All Things Considered, National Public Radio, May 18, 1992.

9 Facilitated communication exposed: All quotes in this and the following paragraphs from Cathy Gherardi, Gerry Gherardi, Douglas Wheeler, Ray Paglieri, Marian Pitsas, Douglas Biklen, Morley Safer, and Howard Shane were obtained from “Prisoners of Silence,” Frontline, October 19, 1993, and “Less than a Miracle,” 60 Minutes, February 20, 1994.

13 Victoria Beck and secretin: All quotes from Victoria Beck, Beck’s therapist, Kenneth Sokolski, and Bernard Rimland were obtained from L. Johannes, “New Hampshire Mother Overrode Doubts on New Use of Old Drug,” Wall Street Journal, March 10, 1999.

14 Horvath study: K. Horvath, G. Stefanatos, K. N. Sokolski et al., “Improved Social and Language Skills After Secretin Administration in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders,” Journal of the Association of the Academy of Minority Physicians 9 (1998): 9-15.

15 Pauley on secretin: “Breaking the Silence,” Dateline NBC, October 7, 1998.

15 Rimland on secretin: Cited in Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 82.

15 Secretin price gouging and fraud: Johannes, “New Hampshire Mother Overrode Doubts.”

15 Walter Herlihy: Ibid.

15 Sandler study: A. D. Sandler, K. A. Sutton, J. DeWeese et al., “Lack of Benefit of a Single Dose of Synthetic Human Secretin in the Treatment of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder,” New England Journal of Medicine341 (1999): 1801-6.

16 Other secretin studies: P. Sturmey, “Secretin Is an Ineffective Treatment for Pervasive Developmental Disabilities: A Review of 15 Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials,” Research in Developmental Disabilities 26 (2005): 87-97.

16 Fitzpatrick on improvement: Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 84.

17 Volkmar and secretin: F. R. Volkmar, “Lessons from Secretin,” New England Journal of Medicine 341 (1999): 1842-45.

2. Lighting the Fuse

The best source of information on the MMR-autism controversy is Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism. Unless otherwise indicated, all quotes from Dan Burton, Dennis Kucinich, Shelly Reynolds, Jeanna Smith, Scott Bono, Andrew Wakefield, John O’Leary, Mary Megson, Michael Goldberg, Vijendra Singh, John Upledger, Brent Taylor, and Henry Waxman were obtained from U.S. Congress, Autism: Present Challenges, Future Needs.

19 Horton on Wakefield: Horton, MMR Science, 22

19 Wakefield’s Crohn’s, measles paper: A. J. Wakefield, R. M. Pittilo, R. Sim et al., “Evidence of Persistent Measles Virus Infection in Crohn’s Disease,” Journal of Medical Virology 39 (1993): 345-53.

19 Wakefield’s Crohn’s, measles vaccine paper: N. P. Thompson, S. M. Montgomery, R. E. Pounder, and A. J. Wakefield, “Is Measles Vaccination a Risk Factor for Inflammatory Bowel Disease?” Lancet 345 (1995): 1071-74.

19 Failure to confirm Wakefield’s Crohn’s studies: P. Farrington and E. Miller, “Measles Vaccination as a Risk Factor for Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” Lancet 345 (1995): 1362; T. Gilat, D. Hacohen, P. Lilos, and M. J. S. Langman, “Childhood Factors in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease: An International Co-Operative Study,” Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology 22 (1987): 1009-24; J. Hermon-Taylor, J. Ford, N. Sumar et al., “Measles Virus and Crohn’s Disease,” Lancet 345 (1995): 922-23; M. Iizuka, O. Nakagomi, M. Chiba et al., “Absence of Measles Virus in Crohn’s Disease,” Lancet 345 (1995): 199; M. Feeney, A. Clegg, P. Win-wood, and J. Snook, “A Case-Control Study of Measles Vaccination and Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” Lancet 350 (1997): 764-66; P. Daszak, M. Purcell, J. Lewin et al., “Detection and Comparative Analysis of Persistent Measles Virus Infection in Crohn’s Disease by Immunogold Electron Microscopy,” Journal of Clinical Pathology 50 (1997): 299-304; N. C. Fisher, L. Yee, P. Nightingale et al., “Measles Virus Serology in Crohn’s Disease,” Gut 41 (1997): 66-69; D. S. Pardi, W. J. Tremaine, W. J. Sandborn et al., “Perinatal Exposure to Measles Virus Is Not Associated with the Development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 5 (1999): 104-6; M. Iizuka, M. Chiba, M. Yukawa et al., “Immunohistochemical Analysis of the Distribution of Measles Related Antigen in the Intestinal Mucosa in Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” Gut 46 (2000): 163-69; D. L. Morris, S. M. Montgomery, N. P. Thompson et al., “Measles Vaccination and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A National British Cohort Study,” American Journal of Gastroenterology 95 (2000): 3507-12; M. Iizuka, H. Saito, M. Yukawa et al., “No Evidence of Persistent Mumps Virus Infection in Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” Gut 48 (2001): 637-41.

19 Wakefield retracts Crohn’s findings: N. Chadwick, I. J. Bruce, S. Schepelmann et al., “Measles Virus RNA Is Not Detected in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Hybrid Capture and Reverse Transcription Followed by the Polymerase Chain Reaction,” Journal of Medical Virology 55 (1998): 305-11.

19 Wakefield on hypothesis testing: A. J. Wakefield, “MMR Vaccination and Autism,” Lancet 354 (1999): 949.

20 Wakefield Lancet paper: A. J. Wakefield, S. H. Murch, A. Anthony et al., “Ileal-Lymphoid-Nodular Hyperplasia, Non-Specific Colitis, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder in Children,” Lancet 351 (1998): 637-41.

20 Wakefield and listening to parents: A. J. Wakefield, “The Case Against MMR: Wary Parents Have Proved the Experts Wrong Before. They Will Do So Again,” The Independent (London), January 22, 2001.

20 Isabella Thomas: Cited in Horton, MMR Science, 9.

21 Wakefield on separating MMR: Cited in B. Deer, “MMR: The Truth Behind the Crisis,” Sunday Times (London), February 22, 2004.

22 Murch: Cited in Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 18.

22 Zuckerman: Cited in S. Boseley, “Scientists Go Public with Doubts Over MMR Vaccine,” The Guardian, February 27, 1998.

22 Hear the Silence: M. Wells, “Five Plans Autism Drama,” The Guardian, May 23, 2003; M. Wells and S. Boseley, “Calls to Axe TV Drama on MMR,” The Guardian, December 3, 2003; S. Boseley, “Doctors Boycott Debate to Follow MMR Drama,” The Guardian, December 4, 2003; D. Aaronovitch, “Comment: A Travesty of Truth,” The Observer, December 14, 2003; J. Stevenson, “I’m a Mother, Too,” The Independent (London), December 14, 2003; M. Taylor, “Mothers Alarmed After TV MMR Drama,” The Guardian, December 16, 2003.

23 Hear the Silence quotes: All quotes from the television docudrama were obtained from Aaronovitch, “Comment.”

23 Bruce: Cited in M. Taylor, “Mothers Alarmed After TV MMR Drama,” The Guardian, December 16, 2003.

23 Mitchell: Cited in Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 58.

24 Measles outbreaks: N. Gould, “The Town Divided by a Deadly Disease,” Belfast Telegraph, November 14, 2004; “Fall in MMR Vaccine Coverage Reported as Further Evidence of Vaccine Safety Is Published,” CDR Weekly, June 25, 1999; B. Lavery, “As Vaccination Rates Decline in Ireland, Cases of Measles Soar,” New York Times, February 8, 2003; T. Peterkin, “Alert Over 60 Percent Rise in Measles,” London Daily Telegraph, May 12, 2003; N. Begg, M. Ramsey, J. White, and Z. Bozoky, “Media Dents Confidence in MMR Vaccine,” British Medical Journal 316 (1998): 561; B. Deer, “Schoolboy, 13, Dies as Measles Makes a Comeback,” Sunday Times (London), April 2, 2006; R. Boyles and A. Browne, “MMR Jab Urged After 420 Pupils Are Struck by Measles,” The Times (London), April 6, 2006; K. Mansey, “MMR Link to Mumps Cases,” Daily Post, January 16, 2006; S. Boseley, “MMR Vaccinations Fall to New Low,” The Guardian, September 24, 2004; E. K. Mulholland, “Measles in the United States, 2006,” New England Journal of Medicine 355 (2006): 440-43; J. McBrien, J. Murphy, D. Gill et al., “Measles Outbreak in Dublin,” Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 22 (2003): 580-84; P. A. Brunell, “More on Measles and the Impact of the Lancet Retraction,” Infectious Diseases in Children, May 2004; B. Deer, “MMR Scare Doctor Faces List of Charges,” The Times (London), September 11, 2005; S. Hastings, “Doctor at Sharp End of MMR Controversy,” Yorkshire Post, June 14, 2006.

24 Naomi’s death: Fragile Immunity, video produced by PATH, narrated by Ian Holm, 2004.

24 Science paper: V. A. A. Jansen, N. Stollenwerk, H. J. Jensen et al., “Measles Outbreaks in a Population with Declining Vaccine Uptake,” Science 301 (2003): 804.

24 Measles death in England: B. Deer, “Schoolboy, 13, Dies.”

25 O’Leary: Cited in V. Uhlmann, C. M. Martin, O. Sheils et al., “Potential Viral Pathogenic Mechanism for New Variant Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” Journal of Clinical Pathology 55 (2002): 84-90.

25 Kawashima: H. Kawashima, T. Mori, Y. Kasiwagi et al., “Detection and Sequencing of Measles Virus from Peripheral Mononuclear Cells from Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Autism,” Digestive Diseases and Sciences 45 (2000): 723-29.

25 Singh: V. K. Singh, S. X. Lin, E. Newell, and C. Nelson, “Abnormal Measles-Mumps-Rubella Autoantibodies and CNS Autoimmunity in Children with Autism,” Journal of Biomedical Science 9 (2002): 359-64; V. K. Singh and R. L. Jensen, “Elevated Levels of Measles Antibodies in Children with Autism,” Pediatric Neurology 28 (2003): 292-94; V. K. Singh, S. X. Lin, and V. C. Yang, “Serological Association of Measles Virus and Human Herpesvirus-6 with Brain Autoantibodies in Autism,” Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology 89 (1998): 105-9.

25 Aitken: H. Mills, “MMR: The Story So Far,” Private Eye, May 2002.

25 Spitzer: W. O. Spitzer, K. J. Aitken, S. Dell’Anniello, and M. W. L. Davis, “The Natural History of Autistic Syndrome in British Children Exposed to MMR,” Adverse Drug Reactions and Toxicological Reviews 20 (2001): 47-55.

26 March: Mills, “MMR.”

26 Kinsbourne and Menkes: Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 116.

26 Krigsman: Cited in L. Fraser, “U.S. Experts Back MMR Doctor’s Findings,” Sunday Telegraph, June 23, 2002.

26 Burton and Laetrile: B. Wilson, “The Rise and Fall of Laetrile,” http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/laetrile.html.

27 Burton and Ephedra: Cited in S. Brownlee, “Swallowing Ephedra,” http://archive.salon.com/health/feature/2000/06/07/ephedra.

27 Burton and AIDS: E. Walsh, “Burton: A ‘Pit Bull’ in the Chair,” Washington Post, March 19, 1997; F. Pellegrini, “Fool on the Hill,” Time.com, http://www.time.com/time/daily/special/look/burton.

36 American children and MMR vaccine: M. J. Smith, L. M. Bell, S. E. Ellenberg, and D. M. Rubin, “Media Coverage of the MMR-Autism Controversy and Its Relationship to MMR Immunization Rates in the United States,” Pediatrics 121 (2008): e836-e843.

36 Fitzpatrick and butterfly effect: Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, x.

3. The Implosion

The best sources for the fall of Andrew Wakefield and his theory are B. Deer, “MMR: The Truth Behind the Crisis,” Sunday Times (London), February 22, 2004, and Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism.

37 Horton and Wakefield meeting: Horton, MMR Science, 2.

37 Ethical Practices Committee: A. J. Wakefield, S. H. Murch, A. Anthony et al., “Ileal-Lymphoid-Nodular Hyperplasia, Non-Specific Colitis, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder in Children,” Lancet 351 (1998): 637-41.

37 Colon perforation: R. Ellis, “£500,000 Payout for Autistic Boy Left Fighting for Life After Being Used as an MMR Guinea Pig,” Daily Mail, December 8, 2007.

38 Wakefield study funding: Wakefield, Murch, Anthony et al., “Ileal-Lymphoid-Nodular Hyperplasia.”

38 Horton on Wakefield bias: Horton, MMR Science, 3-4.

38 Kessick and illness: Cited in H. Mills, “MMR: The Story So Far,” Private Eye, May 2002.

38 Kessick and worry: Cited in G. Frankel, “Charismatic Doctor at Vortex of Vaccine Dispute,” Washington Post, July 11, 2004.

39 Kessick and broken hearts: Cited in G. Langdon-Down, “Law: A Shot in the Dark,” The Independent, November 27, 1996.

39 Kessick and Wakefield: Cited in Frankel, “Charismatic Doctor.”

39 Kessick visits JABS: Langdon-Down, “Law.”

39 Barr and Opren: J. Erlichman, “Lawyers of Opren Victims in Payout,” The Guardian, December 1, 1987; R. Hughes and P. Marsh, “Lawyers in Opren Cases May Be in Agreement,” Financial Times, December 9, 1987; J. Erlichman, “Average of 2,000 Pounds Offered to Opren Victims,” The Guardian, December 10, 1987; C. Dyer, “Opren Firm Offer Aims to Stifle Expert Solicitors,” The Guardian, December 14, 1987; R. Hughes, “Late Opren Claimants Face Compensation Fight,” Financial Times, December 17, 1987; C. Dyer, “Opren Claimants’ Hopes Dashed,” The Guardian, February 1, 1991.

39 Barr and worst day: Cited in L. Tsang, “If You Decide to Become a Lawyer, Do Something Else First to Get Life Skills,” The Times (London), February 26, 2002.

39 Barr and organophosphates: M. Fitzpatrick, “Medicine on Trial,” Spiked, December 15, 2003.

40 Barr and other law firms: Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 104.

40 Barr and MMR cases: T. Thompson, “Parents Seek Checks Over Vaccine Fears,” The Scotsman, April 26, 1999; Mills, “MMR.”

40 Barr and MMR theory: Cited in Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 101.

40 Horton and authors: Horton, MMR Science, 5.

40 Horton on BBC: Ibid., 6.

40 Horton and “fatal conflicts”: Ibid.

41 Wakefield confronted by reporters: Cited in Deer, “MMR.”

41 Wakefield response to funding controversy: Horton, MMR Science, 5.

41 Barr on funding controversy: Cited in Deer, “MMR.”

41 Murch and “unpleasant surprise”: Ibid.

41 Lancet retraction: Cited in Horton, MMR Science, 12; emphasis added.

42 O’Leary shocked: Cited in Frankel, “Charismatic Doctor.”

42 Wakefield caveat: Wakefield, Murch, Anthony et al., “Ileal-Lymphoid-Nodular Hyperplasia.”

42 Studies exonerating MMR: B. Taylor, E. Miller, C. P. Farrington et al., “Autism and Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine: No Epidemiological Evidence for a Causal Association,” Lancet 353 (1999): 2026-29; H. Peltola, A. Patja, P. Leinikki et al., “No Evidence for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine-Associated Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Autism in a 14-Year Prospective Study,” Lancet 351 (1998): 1327-28; F. DeStefano and R. T. Chen, “Negative Association Between MMR and Autism,” Lancet 353 (1999): 1986-87; E. Fombonne, “Are Measles Infections or Measles Immunizations Linked to Autism?” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders29 (1999): 349-50; J. A. Kaye, M. Melero-Montes, and H. Jick, “Mumps, Measles, and Rubella Vaccine and the Incidence of Autism Recorded by General Practitioners: A Time Trend Analysis,” British Medical Journal 322 (2001): 460-63; R. L. Davis, P. Kramarz, B. Kari et al., “Measles-Mumps-Rubella and Other Measles-Containing Vaccines Do Not Increase the Risk for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Case-Control Study from the Vaccine Safety DataLink Project,” Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 155 (2001): 354-59; L. Dales, S. J. Hammer, and N. J. Smith, “Time Trends in Autism and in MMR Immunization Coverage in California,” Journal of the American Medical Association 285 (2001): 1183-85; C. P. Farrington, E. Miller, and B. Taylor, “MMR and Autism: Further Evidence Against a Causal Association,” Vaccine 19 (2001): 3632-35; E. Fombonne and S. Chakrabarti, “No Evidence for a New Variant of Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Induced Autism,” Pediatrics 108 (2001), http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full.108/4/e58; N. A. Halsey and S. L. Hyman, “Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine and Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Report from the New Challenges in Childhood Immunization Conference Convened in Oak Brook, Illinois, June 12, 2000,” Pediatrics 107 (2001), http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/107/5/e84; B. Taylor, E. Miller, R. Lingam et al., “Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination and Bowel Problems or Developmental Regression in Children with Autism: Population Study,” British Medical Journal 324 (2002): 393-96; K. M. Madsen, A. Hviid, M. Vestergaard et al., “A Population-Based Study of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination and Autism,” New England Journal of Medicine347 (2002): 1477-82; A. Mäkela, J. P. Nuorti, and H. Peltola, “Neurologic Disorders After Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccination,” Pediatrics 110 (2002): 957-63; P. A. Offit and S. E. Coffin, “Communicating Science to the Public: MMR Vaccine and Autism,” Vaccine 22 (2003): 1-6; F. DeStefano, T. K. Bhasin, W. W. Thompson et al., “Age at First Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccination in Children with Autism and School-Matched Control Subjects: A Population-Based Study in Metropolitan Atlanta,” Pediatrics 113 (2004): 259-66; E. Fombonne and E. H. Cook Jr., “MMR and Autistic Enterocolitis: Consistent Epidemiological Failure to Find an Association,” Molecular Psychiatry 8 (2003): 133-34; K. Wilson, E. Mills, C. Ross, J. McGowan et al., “Association of Autistic Spectrum Disorder and the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine,” Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine 157 (2003): 628-34; H. Honda, Y. Shimizu, and M. Rutter, “No Effect of MMR Withdrawal on the Incidence of Autism: A Total Population Study,” Journal of Child Psychiatry and Psychology 46 (2005): 572-79.

43 Researchers fail to find chronic measles infection: Y. D’Souza, E. Fombonne, and B. J. Ward, “No Evidence of Persisting Measles Virus in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Pediatrics 118 (2006): 1664-75; M. A. Afzal, L. C. Ozoemena, A. O’Hare et al., “Absence of Detectable Measles Virus Genome Sequence in Blood of Autistic Children Who Have Had Their MMR Vaccination During the Routine Childhood Immunization Schedule of UK,” Journal of Medical Virology 78 (2006): 623-30; G. Baird, A. Pickles, E. Simonoff et al., “Measles Vaccination and Antibody Response in Autism Spectrum Disorders,” Archives of Diseases of Children (2008) [in press].

43 Ward: Cited in M. Rauscher, “New Data Refute Measles Virus Persistence in Children with Autism,” Reuters, October 11, 2006.

43 Poor performance of Unigenetics: Cited in S. L. Katz, “Has the Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine Been Fully Exonerated?” Pediatrics 118 (2006): 1744-45.

44 Plotkin: Stanley Plotkin, personal communication, 2004.

44 O’Leary: Cited in Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 127.

44 MMR and bowel disease: DeStefano and Chen, “Negative Association Between MMR and Autism”; Davis, Kramarz, Kari et al., “Measles-Mumps-Rubella and Inflammatory Bowel Disease”; Taylor, Miller, Lingam et al., “Measles, Mumps, and Rubella in Children with Autism.”

44 Bowel problems: R. T. Chen and F. DeStefano. “Vaccine Adverse Events: Causal or Coincidental,” Lancet 351 (1998): 611-12.

44 Gershon and leak: Cited in Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 146.

44 Vaccine challenge: P. A. Offit, J. Quarles, M. A. Gerber et al., “Addressing Parents’ Concerns: Do Multiple Vaccines Overwhelm or Weaken the Infant’s Immune System?” Pediatrics 109 (2002): 124-29.

45 Singh challenged: Ben Schwartz and Bill Bellini, CDC, personal communication.

45 Horton and affair “coming to a head”: Horton, MMR Science, 2-3.

46 Deer and Freedom of Information Act: “Freedom of Information Act Request: MMR/MR Multi-Party Action,” Secretariat, Legal Services Commission, December 22, 2006.

47 Medical investigation team: Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 114; Deer, “MMR.”

47 Wakefield and nondenial: Cited in Horton, MMR Science, 5; A. Wakefield. “MMR—Responding to Retraction,” Lancet 363 (2004): 1327-28.

47 Wakefield patent: “Pharmaceutical Composition for Treatment of IBD and RBD,” patent application number 9711663.6, filed June 6, 1997.

48 MacDonald: B. Deer, “MMR Scare Doctor Planned Rival Vaccine,” Sunday Times (London), November 14, 2004.

48 O’Leary and Unigenetics: Cited in B. Deer, http://briandeer.com/mmr/oleary-statement.htm.

48 Aitken book: K. Aitken et al., Children with Autism: Diagnosis and Interventions to Meet Their Needs (London: Jessica Kingsley, 1998).

49 Aitken resigns: B. Christie, “Child Psychologist Quits in Porn Shame,” Sunday Times (London), November 29, 1998; “Porn Psychologist Quits,” The Herald (Glasgow), November 30, 1998; D. Clarke, “Top Children’s Doctor Quits Hospital After Porn Found in His Office,” Daily Mail, November 30, 1998.

49 Spitzer and MacDonald: Cited in http://briandeer.com/mmr.

50 March and Damascene conversion: M. Fitzpatrick, personal communication, January 5, 2008.

50 Fitzpatrick on March money: Ibid.

50 March and funding: Cited in B. Deer, “MMR Doctor Given Legal Aid Thousands,” Sunday Times (London), December 31, 2006.

50 Harris: Ibid.

50 Barr and defense of team: R. Barr, “The Withdrawal of Legal Aid in the MMR Cases,” Solicitors Journal, October 2003.

50 Autistic children in Detroit: Ibid.

51 Legal Services Commission withdrawal: N. Martin, “Parents Seeking MMR Compensation Lose Legal Aid for Court Fight,” Daily Telegraph, October 2, 2003.

51 Dodgson: Cited in ibid.

51 Barr and Venus de Milo: Barr, “The Withdrawal of Legal Aid.”

52 Medical truths: Cited in Fitzpatrick, “Medicine on Trial.”

52 Wakefield steps down: Cited in L. Fraser, “Anti-MMR Doctor Is Forced Out,” Sunday Telegraph, December 2, 2001.

52 Wakefield in Florida: A. Ahuja, “MMR Maverick,” The Times (London), June 13, 2006; Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 163; Horton, MMR Science , 131.

52 Wakefield and GMC: Deer, http://briandeer.com/mmr; S. Boseley, “Doctor Behind MMR Scare to Face Four Charges of Misconduct Over Research,” The Guardian, June 11, 2006.

53 Wakefield and 60 Minutes: “The MMR Vaccine,” 60 Minutes, November 12, 2000.

54 Wakefield on quitting: Cited in Deer, “MMR.”

54 Fitzpatrick on Wakefield: Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 160.

55 Fitzpatrick and MMR anxieties: M. Fitzpatrick, personal communication, January 5, 2008.

55 Wakefield and proof: Wakefield, Murch, Anthony et al., “Ileal-Lymphoid-Nodular Hyperplasia.”

55 Salisbury on Wakefield: D. Salisbury, interview, January 9, 2008.

56 Fitzpatrick on Royal Free Hospital: M. Fitzpatrick, personal communication, January 5, 2008.

56 Boyce and media: Cited in M. Fitzpatrick, “Anti-MMR Mania: Diagnoses and Cure,” http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/reviewofbooks_article/4362; Boyce, Health, Risk and News.

56 Boyce and balance: Ibid.

57 Lancet: S. Connor, “It Is Britain’s Pre-Eminent Medical Journal: Now Its Reputation Hangs on a Single Issue,” The Independent, October 15, 1999.

57 Martin on Horton: N. Martin. “A Pariah and a Firebrand in the Eye of the Storm,” Daily Telegraph, February 23, 2004.

57 Journalist on Horton: Cited in ibid.

57 Chen and DeStefano: Chen and DeStefano, “Vaccine Adverse Events.”

57 Horton and censorship: Horton, Second Opinion, 320.

58 Horton and arrogance: Ibid., 214.

58 Salisbury on Horton: D. Salisbury, interview, January 9, 2008.

58 Horton and genetically modified foods: S. W. Ewen and A. Pusztai, “Effect of Diets Containing Genetically Modified Potatoes Expressing Galanthus Nivalis Lectin on Rat Small Intestine,” Lancet 354 (1999): 1353-54; S. W. Ewen and A. Pusztai, “Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods,” Lancet 354 (1999): 684; Connor, “It Is Britain’s Pre-Eminent Medical Journal.”

58 Horton and silicone breast implants: S. A. Tenenbaum, J. C. Rice, L. R. Espinosa et al., “Use of Antipolymer Antibody Assay in Recipients of Silicone Breast Implants,” Lancet 349 (1997): 449-54.

59 Lancet and Iraq war casualties: G. Burnham, R. Lafta, S. Doocy, and L. Roberts, “Mortality After the 2003 Invasion of Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Cluster Survey,” Lancet 386 (2006): 1421-28; “The Lancet’s Political Hit,” Wall Street Journal, January 9, 2008; C. A. Brownstein and J. S. Brownstein, “Estimating Excess Mortality in Post-Invasion Iraq,” New England Journal of Medicine 358 (2008): 445-47.

4. A Precautionary Tale

61 FDA Modernization Act: “Uproar Over a Little-Known Preservative, Thimerosal, Jostles U.S. Hepatitis B Vaccination Policy,” Hepatitis Control Report 4 (1999): 3-7; Allen, Vaccine, 377.

61 FDA and mercury compounds: L. K. Ball, R. Ball, and R. D. Pratt, “An Assessment of Thimerosal Use in Childhood Vaccines,” Pediatrics 107 (2001): 1147-54; S. A. Plotkin, “Report on Meeting Called by the American Academy of Pediatrics to Discuss Thimerosal in Vaccines,” June 30, 1999, personal communication; G. L. Freed, M. C. Andreae, A. E. Cowan, and S. L. Katz, “The Process of Public Policy Formulation: The Case of Thimerosal in Vaccines,” Pediatrics 109 (2002): 1153-59.

61 Minamata Bay: P. W. Davidson, G. J. Myers, and B. Weiss, “Mercury Exposure and Child Development Outcomes,” Pediatrics 113 (2004): 1023-29; M. Harada, “Minamata Disease: Methylmercury Poisoning in Japan Caused by Environmental Pollution,” Critical Reviews in Toxicology 25 (1995): 1-24.

62 Contamination of vaccines: Ball, Ball, and Pratt, “An Assessment of Thimerosal.”

63 Lilly: Ibid.

63 Mercury safety guidelines: Institute of Medicine, Immunization Safety Review: Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Neurodevelopmental Disorders .

64 Halsey and disbelief: Cited in A. Allen, “The Not-So-Crackpot Autism Theory,” New York Times Magazine, November 10, 2002.

65 Halsey in Maine: Ibid.

65 Reassuring studies: D. O. Marsh, T. W. Clarkson, C. Cox et al., “Fetal Methylmercury Poisoning: Relationship Between Concentration in Single Strands of Maternal Hair and Child Effects,” Archives of Neurology 44 (1987): 1017-22; L. Magos, A. W. Brown, S. Sparrow et al., “The Comparative Toxicology of Ethyl- and Methyl-Mercury,” Archives of Toxicology 57 (1985): 260-67; L. Magos,“Review on the Toxicity of Ethylmercury, Including Its Presence as a Preservative in Biological and Pharmaceutical Products,” Journal of Applied Toxicology 21 (2001): 1-5; P. W. Davidson, G. J. Myers, C. Cox et al., “Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal Methylmercury Exposure from Fish Consumption on Neurodevelopment: Outcomes at 66 Months of Age in the Seychelles Child Development Study,” Journal of the American Medical Association 280 (1998): 701-7; P. W. Davidson, D. Palumbo, G. J. Myers et al., “Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Seychellois Children from the Pilot Cohort at 108 Months Following Prenatal Exposure to Methylmercury from a Maternal Fish Diet,” Environmental Research Section A 84 (2000): 1-11; M. E. Pichichero, A. Gentile, N. Giglio et al., “Mercury Levels in Newborns and Infants After Receipt of Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines,” Pediatrics 121 (2008): e208-e214.

66 Faroe Islands study: P. Grandjean, P. Weihe, R. F. White et al., “Cognitive Deficit in 7-Year-Old Children with Prenatal Exposure to Methylmercury,” Neurotoxicology and Teratology 19 (1997): 417-28.

67 Halsey teleconferences: Interviews with those who participated in the teleconferences in June 1999 were obtained from Jon Abramson on October 19, 2007; Carol Baker on November 12, 2007; Meg Fisher on October 18, 2007; John Modlin on October 16, 2007; Martin Myers on November 14, 2007; Walter Orenstein on October 17, 2007; Georges Peter on October 18, 2007; and Larry Pickering on October 31, 2007.

71 AAP, PHS joint statement: Public Health Service and the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Thimerosal in Vaccines: A Joint Statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Public Health Service,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 48 (1999): 563-65.

71 AAP press release: American Academy of Pediatrics, July 7, 1999.

72 Music: S. Music, “Sad Reflections on a Thimerosal Workshop at the NIH,” August 12, 1999, personal communication.

72 Plotkin: Cited in Allen, Vaccine, 382.

72 CDC warning: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Thimerosal and Vaccines: Talking Points,” July 5, 1999.

73 October meeting: Minutes from Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting, October 20, 1999.

73 Breast implant story: Unless otherwise stated, details of the silicone breast implant controversy were obtained from Angell, Science on Trial.

74 Breast implants and connective tissue diseases: S. A. Van Nunen, “Post-Mammoplasty Connective Tissue Disease,” Arthritis and Rheumatism 25 (1982): 694-97.

74 Kessler: Cited in Angel, Science on Trial, 50.

75 Gabriel: S. E. Gabriel, M. O’Fallon, L. T. Kurland et al., “Risk of Connective-Tissue Diseases and Other Disorders After Breast Implantation,” New England Journal of Medicine 330 (1994): 1697-702.

76 Sánchez-Guerrero: J. Sánchez-Guerrero, G. A. Colditz, E. W. Karlson et al., “Silicone Breast Implants and the Risk of Connective Tissue Diseases and Symptoms,” New England Journal of Medicine 332 (1995): 1666-70.

76 Studies exonerating breast implants: C. J. Burns, T. J. Laing, B. W. Gillespie et al., “The Epidemiology of Scleroderma Among Women: Assessment of Risk from Exposure to Silicone and Silica,” Journal of Rheumatology23 (1996): 1904-11; S. M. Edworthy, L. Martin, S. G. Barr et al., “A Clinical Study of the Relationship Between Silicone Breast Implants and Connective Tissue Disease,” Journal of Rheumatology 25 (1998): 254-60; F. Wolfe and J. Anderson, “Silicone Filled Breast Implants and the Risk of Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis,” Journal of Rheumatology 26 (1999): 2025-28; J. A. Goldman, J. Greenblatt, R. Joines et al., “Breast Implants, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Connective Tissue Diseases in a Clinical Practice,” Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 48 (1995): 571-82; B. L. Strom, M. M. Reidenberg, B. Freundlich, and R. Schinnar, “Breast Silicone Implants and Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,” Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 47 (1994): 1211-14; H. Hennekens, I. Lee, N. R. Cook et al., “Self-Reported Breast Implants and Connective Tissue Diseases in Female Health Professionals,” Journal of the American Medical Association 275 (1996): 616-21.

77 Kossovsky study: N. Kossovsky, J. P. Heggers, and M. C. Robson, “Experimental Demonstration of the Immunogenicity of Silicone-Protein Complexes,” Journal of Biomedical Materials Research 21 (1987): 1125-33.

77 Studies on silicone antibodies and breast implants: S. H. Lamm, “Antipolymer Antibodies, Silicone Breast Implants, and Fibromyalgia,” Lancet 349 (1997): 1170-71; S. A. Edlavitch, “Antipolymer Antibodies, Silicone Breast Implants, and Fibromyalgia,” Lancet 349 (1997): 1170; J. H. Korn. “Antipolymer Antibodies, Silicone Breast Implants, and Fibromyalgia,” Lancet 349 (1997): 1171; M. Angell, “Antipolymer Antibodies, Silicone Breast Implants, and Fibromyalgia,” Lancet 349 (1997): 1172; T. M. Ellis, N. S. Hardt, and M. A. Atkinson, “Antipolymer Antibodies, Silicone Breast Implants, and Fibromyalgia,” Lancet 349 (1997): 1173; S. H. Miller, “Silicone Breast Implants and Antipolymer Antibodies,” Lancet 350 (1997): 740.

78 IOM report: C. Marwick, “Are They Real? IOM Report on Breast Implant Problems,” Journal of the American Medical Association 282 (1999): 314-15.

78 Gabriel: Cited in G. Kolata, “Legal System and Science Coming to Different Conclusions on Silicone,” New York Times, May 16, 1995.

78 Angell: Cited in ibid.

79 Wall Street Journal editorial: “Implants and Science,” Wall Street Journal, November 20, 2006.

79 Harm from delaying hepatitis B vaccine: M. E. Tucker, “New Hepatitis B Vaccine Guidelines Cause Confusion,” Pediatric News 33 (1999): 1-4; M. B. Hurie, T. N. Saari, and J. P. Davis, “Impact of the Joint Statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics/U.S. Public Health Service on Thimerosal in Vaccines on Hospital Infant Hepatitis B Vaccination Practices,” Pediatrics 107 (2001): 755-58; “Uproar Over a Little-Known Preservative, Thimerosal, Jostles U.S. Hepatitis B Vaccination Policy,” Hepatitis Control Report 4 (1999): 3-7; R. M. Brayden, K. A. Pearson, J. S. Jones et al., “Effect of Thimerosal Recommendations on Hospitals’ Neonatal Hepatitis B Vaccination Policies,” Journal of Pediatrics 138 (2001): 752-55; R. Thomas, A. E. Fiore, H. L. Corwith et al., “Hepatitis B Vaccine Coverage Among Infants Born to Women Without Prenatal Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Effects of the Joint Statement on Thimerosal in Vaccines,” Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal 23 (2004): 313-18; “Impact of the 1999 AAP/USPHS Joint Statement on Thimerosal in Vaccines on Infant Hepatitis B Vaccination Practices,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 50 (2001): 94-97.

80 Halsey to thank: Allen, “The Not-So-Crackpot Autism Theory.”

5. Mercury Rising

The epigraph in this chapter is from “The Rise Against Mercury,” Seed Magazine , May 2004.

81 Redwood and son: Cited in U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform, Mercury in Medicine: Are We Taking Unnecessary Risks? 106th Congress, Second session, July 18, 2000 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2001), 12.

82 Bernard: Father-in-law cited in Kirby, Evidence of Harm, 19.

82 Bernard and mercury poisoning: Cited in U.S. Congress, Mercury in Medicine , 20.

82 Medical Hypotheses paper: S. Bernard, A. Enayati, L. Redwood, H. Roger, and T. Binstock, “Autism: A Novel Form of Mercury Poisoning,” Medical Hypotheses 56 (2001): 462-71.

83 Safe Minds mission statement: http://www.safeminds.org/home/mission_strategies.html.

83 Redwood and challenge to public health officials: L. Redwood, “Mercury and Autism: Coincidence or Cause and Effect?” Autism-Asperger’s Digest , July-August 2000.

84 New York Times article: A. Allen, “The Not-So-Crackpot Autism Theory,” New York Times Magazine, November 10, 2002.

84 Arthur Allen on Halsey: A. Allen, interview, November 13, 2007.

84 Geiers’ first VAERS paper: M. R. Geier and D. A. Geier, “Neurodevelopmental Disorders After Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines: A Brief Communication,” Experimental Biology and Medicine 228 (2003): 660-64.

85 Geiers’ heart disease paper: M. R. Geier and D. A. Geier, “Thimerosal in Childhood Vaccines, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Heart Disease in the United States,” Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons 8 (2003): 6-10.

85 Geiers’ first chelation paper: J. Bradstreet, D. A. Geier, J. J. Kartzinel, J. B. Adams, and M. R. Geier, “A Case-Control Study of Mercury Burden in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders,” Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons 8 (2003): 76-79.

86 The Hanleys: Cited in S. Kleffman, “Autism Treatment Sparks Hope for Parents,” Knight Ridder Newspapers, June 10, 2005.

86 Generation Rescue: Mission statement, http://www.generationrescue.org/background.

87 Handley supports Geiers: http://www.generationrescue.org/hall_fame.

87 Baron-Cohen article: S. Baron-Cohen, R. C. Knickmeyer, and M. K. Belmonte, “Sex Differences in the Brain: Implications for Explaining Autism,” Science 310 (2005): 819-23.

88 Geiers’ first Lupron paper: D. A. Geier and M. R. Geier. “The Biochemical Basis and Treatment of Autism: Interactions Between Mercury, Transsulfuration, and Androgens” [submitted to Autoimmunity Reviews but not published].

88 Geier on Radio Liberty: Cited in K. Seidel. “Significant Misrepresentations: Mark Geier, David Geier, and the Evolution of the Lupron Protocol,” http://www.neurodiversity.com/weblog/article/106/desperation-time.

89 Haley on tubulin: B. E. Haley, “Toxic Overload: Assessing the Role of Mercury in Autism,” Mothering Magazine, November/December 2002.

89 Redwood praises Haley: Cited in A. Mead and J. Warren, “U.K. Chemist Tilts at Autism’s Origins,” Lexington Herald-Leader, July 24, 2005.

89 Deth paper: M. Waly, H. Olteanu, R. Banerjee et al., “Activation of Methionine Synthase by Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Dopamine: A Target for Neurodevelopmental Toxins and Thimerosal,” Molecular Psychiatry 9 (2004): 358-70.

90 Deth testimony: Cited in U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform, Truth Revealed: New Scientific Discoveries Regarding Mercury in Medicine and Autism, 108th Congress, Second session, September 8, 2004 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2004).

90 Hornig study: M. Hornig, D. Chian, and W. I. Lipkin, “Neurotoxic Effects of Postnatal Thimerosal Are Mouse Strain Dependent,” Molecular Psychiatry 9 (2004): 833-45.

90 Hornig and Attkisson: Kirby, Evidence of Harm, 366.

90 Hornig and WebMD: Ibid.

90 Hornig on television: WNYW-TV (Fox), Channel 5, February 14, 2005.

91 Simpsonwood: Quotes from Walter Orenstein, Thomas Verstraeten, Paul Stehr-Green, and Robert Davis were obtained from a transcript of the Simpsonwood meeting, “Scientific Review of Vaccine Safety DataLink Information,” Simpsonwood Retreat Center, Norcross, Georgia, June 7-8, 2000.

92 Verstraeten paper: T. Verstraeten, R. L. Davis, F. DeStefano et al., “Study of Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines: A Two-Phased Study of Computerized Health Maintenance Organization Databases,” Pediatrics 112 (2003): 1039-48.

94 Kennedy and Rolling Stone: All quotes from Kennedy in this and the following paragraph are from R. F. Kennedy Jr., “Deadly Immunity,” Rolling Stone, June 30, 2005.

97 Kennedy on Imus: “Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., on Vaccines and Autism,” Imus in the Morning, June 20, 2005.

97 Kennedy on MSNBC: Scarborough Country, MSNBC, June 21, 2005.

98 Kirby and “definitive answer”: Kirby, Evidence of Harm, xii.

98 Kirby and “hellish, lost world”: Ibid.

98 Kirby and public health officials: Ibid., xiii.

98 Imus on Kirby book: Imus in the Morning, April 4, 2005.

98 Imus and chemical companies: Imus in the Morning, December 14, 2006.

98 Kirby on MSNBC: Scarborough Country, MSNBC, March 2, 2006.

98 Kirby and media attention: Evidence of Harm listserv, April 14, 2005, http://groups.yahoo.com.group/EOHarm.

99 Bernard and conspiracy: Cited in A. Manning, “Mistrust of Medicine Rises with Autism Rate,” USA Today, July 7, 2005.

99 Burton and conspiracy: Cited in Allen, Vaccine, 393.

99 Geier and conspiracy: Cited in Kirby, Evidence of Harm, 268-69.

99 Lieberman on Imus: “Vaccine Safety,” Imus in the Morning, May 31, 2005.

100 Dodd on Imus: “Thimerosal in Vaccines,” Imus in the Morning, June 22, 2005.

100 Kerry on Imus: Imus in the Morning, March 20, 2006.

100 Weldon: Cited in Kirby, Evidence of Harm, 309.

102 Weldon, Gerberding, and Burns: Cited in ibid., 365.

102 Schwarzenegger ban: M. Levin, “Battle Lines Drawn Over Mercury in Shots,” Los Angeles Times, April 10, 2006.

102 Kirby and declining rates: Cited in “Slouching Toward Truth—Autism and Mercury,” Citizen Cain, November 30, 2005, http://www.citizencain.blogspot.com/2005/11/slouching-toward-truth-autism-an_30.html.

103 Humiston to Burton: Cited in U.S. Congress, Mercury in Medicine, 207.

103 Haley and truth: B. E. Haley, “Toxic Overload”; also “Prof. Boyd Haley Explains Mercury-Autism Link to Kentucky Assembly,” Generation Rescue Press Release, October 16, 2004.

103 Geiers and autism epidemic: M. R. Geier and D. A. Geier. “Response to Critics on the Adverse Effects of Thimerosal in Childhood Vaccines,” Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons 8 (2003): 68-70.

103 Redwood and optimism: “New Data Showing First Drop in 20 Years Provides Cautious Hope That Vaccine-Induced Autism on Decline,” Safe Minds Press Release, April 22, 2004.

103 Kirby and one less arrow: D. Kirby, “Autism, Mercury and the California Numbers,” Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/autism-mercury-and-the-c_b_4133.html.

103 Geiers’ study on declining rates: D. A. Geier and M. R. Geier, “Early Downward Trends in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Following Removal of Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines,” Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons11 (2006): 8-13.

104 Deth response to Geiers’ study: Cited in “Article on Falling Autism Rates Sparks Controversy,” March 6, 2006, http://www.aapsoline.org/nod/newsofday265.php.

104 Evidence of Harm movie: Described on Participant Productions Web site, August 17, 2006, http://participantproductions.com/films/In+Development/249/EvidenceofHarm.

104 Kirby response to movie: D. Kirby, Evidence of Harm listserv, December 11, 2006 and January 22, 2007.

6. Mercury Falling

106 Stehr-Green study: P. Stehr-Green, P. Tull, M. Stellfeld et al., “Autism and Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines: Lack of Consistent Evidence for an Association,” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 25 (2005): 101-6.

107 Madsen study: K. M. Madsen, M. B. Lauritsen, C. B. Pedersen et al., “Thimerosal and the Occurrence of Autism: Negative Ecological Evidence from Danish Population-Based Data,” Pediatrics 112 (2003): 604-6.

107 Hviid study: A. Hviid, M. Stellfeld, J. Wohlfahrt, and M. Melbye, “Association Between Thimerosal-Containing Vaccine and Autism,” Journal of the American Medical Association 290 (2003): 1763-66.

107 Heron study: J. Heron and J. Golding, “Thimerosal Exposure in Infants and Developmental Disorders: A Prospective Cohort Study in the United Kingdom Does Not Support a Causal Association,” Pediatrics 114 (2004): 577-83.

108 Andrews study: N. Andrews, E. Miller, A. Grant et al., “Thimerosal Exposure in Infants and Developmental Disorders: A Retrospective Cohort Study in the United Kingdom Does Not Support a Causal Association,” Pediatrics114 (2004): 584-91.

108 IOM report: Institute of Medicine, Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism.

108 Fombonne study: E. Fombonne, R. Zakarian, A. Bennett et al., “Pervasive Developmental Disorders in Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Prevalence and Links with Immunization,” Pediatrics 118 (2006): 139-50.

109 Fombonne explanation: Ibid.

109 Thompson study: W. W. Thompson, C. Price, B. Goodson et al., “Early Thimerosal Exposure and Neuropsychological Outcomes at 7 to 10 Years,” New England Journal of Medicine 357 (2007): 1281-92.

109 Schechter and Grether study: R. Schechter and J. Grether, “Continuing Increases in Autism Reported to California’s Development Services System,” Archives of General Psychiatry 65 (2008): 19-24; see also J. C. Dooren, “Autism Rate Is Still Rising Despite Vaccine Change,” Wall Street Journal, January 7, 2008; A. Chang, “No Autism Vaccine Link Seen in California Study,” Associated Press, January 7, 2008.

109 Fombonne editorial: E. Fombonne, “Thimerosal Disappears but Autism Remains,” Archives of General Psychiatry 65 (2008): 15-16.

110 Kirby and Meet the Press: Meet the Press, August 8, 2005.

110 Rotavirus vaccine and intestinal blockage: T. V. Murphy, P. M. Garguillo, M. S. Massoudi et al., “Intussusception Among Infants Given an Oral Rotavirus Vaccine,” New England Journal of Medicine 344 (2001): 564-72.

111 Measles vaccine and decrease in platelets: R. A. Oski and J. L. Naiman, “Effect of Live Measles Vaccine on the Platelet Count,” New England Journal of Medicine 275 (1966): 352-56; Institute of Medicine, “Measles and Mumps Vaccine,” in Adverse Events Associated with Childhood Vaccines: Evidence Bearing on Causality (Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1994), 130.

111 Swine flu vaccine and Guillain-Barré Syndrome: L. B. Schonberger, D. J. Bregman, J. Z. Sullivan-Bolyai et al., “Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following Vaccination in the National Influenza Immunization Program, United States, 1976-1977,” American Journal of Epidemiology 110 (1979): 105-23.

112 SV40 and cancer: A. J. Girardi, B. H. Sweet, V. B. Slotnick, and M. R. Hilleman, “Development of Tumors in Hamsters Inoculated in the Neonatal Period with Vacuolating Virus, SV40,” Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 109 (1962): 649-60; K. V. Shah, “Simian Virus 40 and Human Disease,” Journal of Infectious Diseases 190 (2004): 2061-64.

112 Adenovirus and cancer: A. J. Girardi, M. R. Hilleman, and R. E. Zwickey, “Tests in Hamsters for Oncogenic Quality of Ordinary Viruses Including Adenovirus Type 7,” Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 115 (1964): 1141-50; V. M. Larson, A. J. Girardi, M. R. Hilleman, and R. E. Zwickey, “Studies of Oncogenicity of Adenovirus Type 7 Viruses in Hamsters,” Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine118 (1965): 15-24.

112 Formaldehyde and cancer: V. S. Goldmacher and W. G. Thilly, “Formaldehyde Is Mutagenic for Cultured Human Cells,” Mutation Research 116 (1983): 417-22; D. L. Ragan and C. J. Boreiko, “Initiation of C3H/10T1/2 Cell Transformation by Formaldehyde,” Cancer Letters 13 (1981): 325-31; “Epidemiology of Chronic Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde: Report of the Ad Hoc Panel on Health Aspects of Formaldehyde,” Toxicology and Industrial Health 4 (1988): 77-90.

112 The Cutter Incident: Offit, The Cutter Incident.

113 Edwin Lennette: Gottsdanker v. Cutter Laboratories, District Court of Appeals of the State of California, First Appellate District, 1 Civ. 18413 and 18414, November 20, 1957 to January 31, 1958.

113 Peggy Johnston: Cited in J. Cohen, “Did Merck’s Failed HIV Vaccine Cause Harm?” Science 318 (2007): 1048-49.

113 Cigarette smoking and lung cancer studies: E. L. Wynder and E. A. Graham, “Tobacco Smoking as a Possible Etiologic Factor in Bronchogenic Carcinoma: A Study of 684 Proved Cases,” Journal of the American Medical Association 143 (1950): 334; R. Doll and A. B. Hill, “The Mortality of Doctors in Relation to Their Smoking Habits: A Preliminary Report,” British Medical Journal 228 (1954): 1451-55.

113 Bradford Hill: A. B. Hill, “Observations and Experiment,” New England Journal of Medicine 248 (1953): 1000.

114 Mercury: P. W. Davidson, G. J. Myers, and B. Weiss, “Mercury Exposure and Child Development Outcomes,” Pediatrics 113 (2004): 1023-29; D. O. Marsh, T. W. Clarkson, C. Cox et al., “Fetal Methylmercury Poisoning: Relationship Between Concentration in Single Strands of Maternal Hair and Child Effects,” Archives of Neurology 44 (1987): 1017-22; L. Magos, A. W. Brown, S. Sparrow et al., “The Comparative Toxicology of Ethyl- and Methyl-Mercury,” Archives of Toxicology 57 (1985): 260-67; L. Magos, “Review on the Toxicity of Ethylmercury, Including Its Presence as a Preservative in Biological and Pharmaceutical Products,” Journal of Applied Toxicology 21 (2001): 1-5; P. W. Davidson, G. J. Myers, C. Cox et al., “Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal Methylmercury Exposure from Fish Consumption on Neurodevelopment: Outcomes at 66 Months of Age in the Seychelles Child Development Study,” Journal of the American Medical Association 280 (1998): 701-7; M. Harada, “Minamata Disease: Methylmercury Poisoning in Japan Caused by Environmental Pollution,” Critical Reviews in Toxicology 25 (1995): 1-24; P. W. Davidson, D. Palumbo, G. J. Myers et al., “Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Seychellois Children from the Pilot Cohort at 108 Months Following Prenatal Exposure to Methylmercury from a Maternal Fish Diet,” Environmental Research Section A 84 (2000): 1-11; F. Bakir, S. F. Damliji, L. Amin-Zaki et al., “Methylmercury Poisoning in Iraq,” Science 181 (1973): 230-41; T. W. Clarkson, L. Magos, and G. J. Myers, “The Toxicology of Mercury—Current Exposures and Clinical Manifestations,” New England Journal of Medicine 349 (2003): 1731-37; L. I. Sweet and J. T. Zelikoff, “Toxicology and Immunotoxicology of Mercury: A Comparative Review in Fish and Humans,” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 4 (2001): 161-205; T. Barkay and I. Wagner-Döbler, “Microbial Transformations of Mercury: Potentials, Challenges, and Achievements in Controlling Mercury Toxicity in the Environment,” Advances in Applied Microbiology 57 (2005): 1-52; L. Magos and T. W. Clarkson, “Overview of the Clinical Toxicity of Mercury,” Annals of Clinical Biochemistry 43 (2006): 257-68; A. M. Brownawell, S. Berent, R. L. Brent et al., “The Potential Adverse Health Effects of Dental Amalgam,” Toxicology Reviews 24 (2005): 1-10; D. W. Boening, “Ecological Effects, Transport, and Fate of Mercury: A General Review,” Chemosphere 40 (2000): 1335-51; J. F. Risher, C. T. De Rosa, D. E. Jones, and H. E. Murray, “Summary Report for the Expert Panel of the Toxicological Profile for Mercury,” Toxicology and Industrial Health 15 (1999): 483-516; N. L. Brown, Y. C. Shih, C. Leang et al., “Mercury Transport and Resistance,” Biochemical Society Transactions 30 (2002): 715-18; S. A. Counter and L. H. Buchanan, “Mercury Exposure in Children: A Review,” Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 198 (2004): 209-30; T. W. Clarkson, “The Three Modern Faces of Mercury,” Environmental Health Perspectives 110 (2002): 11-23; L. Magos, “Physiology and Toxicology of Mercury,” Metal Ions in Biological Systems 34 (1997): 321-70; M. Bigham, R. Copes, and L. Srour, “Exposure to Thimerosal in Vaccines Used in Canadian Infant Immunization Programs with Respect to Risk of Neurodevelopmental Disorders,” Canada Communicable Disease Report 28 (2002): 69-80; M. E. Pichichero, E. Cernichiari, J. Lopreiato, and J. Treanor, “Mercury Concentrations and Metabolism in Infants Receiving Vaccines Containing Thimerosal: A Descriptive Study,” Lancet 360 (2002): 1737-41; T. M. Burbacher, D. D. Shen, N. Liberato et al., “Comparison of Blood and Brain Mercury Levels in Infant Monkeys Exposed to Methylmercury or Vaccines Containing Thimerosal,” Environmental Health Perspectives 113 (2005): 1015-21.

115 Nelson and Bauman study: K. B. Nelson and M. L. Bauman, “Thimerosal and Autism?” Pediatrics 111 (2003): 674-79.

116 New York Times advertisement: New York Times, June 8, 2005, A13.

116 USA Today advertisement: USA Today, April 6, 2006, 16A.

117 Sarah Parker: S. Parker, interview, November 6, 2007.

117 Marie McCormick: M. McCormick, interview, November 13, 2007.

118 Strassel editorial in Wall Street Journal: “The Politics of Autism: Lawsuits and Emotion vs. Childhood Vaccines,” Wall Street Journal, December 29, 2003.

118 Kim Strassel: K. Strassel, interview, November 15, 2007.

119 CDC threats: Cited in G. Harris and A. O’Connor, “On Autism’s Causes, It’s Parents vs. Research,” New York Times, June 25, 2005.

119 Melinda Wharton: Ibid.

119 Salisbury: D. Salisbury, interview, January 9, 2008.

120 Stephen Edelson: Cited in U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform, The Future Challenges of Autism: A Survey of the Ongoing Initiatives in the Federal Government to Address the Epidemic, 108th Congress, First session, November 20, 2003 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2004), 137.

120 Paul Harch: Cited in U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform, Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Update of Federal Government Initiatives and Revolutionary New Treatment of Neurodevelopmental Diseases, 108th Congress, Second session, May 6, 2004 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2004), 61.

121 Controversial therapies: Details supplied by Camille Clark, personal communication, October 14, 2007. Clark is discussed in chapter 11.

121 DAN therapies: Autism Research Institute, DAN Conference Proceedings, Seattle, WA, October 6-9, 2006.

122 Reichelt study: K. L. Reichelt, K. Hole, and A. Hamberger, “Biologically Active Peptide-Containing Fractions in Schizophrenia and Childhood Autism,” Advances in Biochemical Psychopharmacology 28 (1993): 627-43.

122 Refutation of Reichelt study: A. LeCouteur, O. Trygstad, C. Evered et al., “Infantile Autism and Urinary Excretion of Peptides and Protein-Associated Peptide Complexes,” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders18 (1988): 181-90; L. Pavone, A. Fiumara, G. Bottaro et al., “Autism in Celiac Disease: Failure to Validate the Hypothesis That a Link Might Exist,” Biological Psychiatry 42 (1997): 72-75; L. C. Hunter, A. O’Hare, W. J. Herron et al., “Opioid Peptides and Dipeptidyl Peptidase in Autism,” Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 45 (2003): 121-28.

122 Elimination diets and bone thinning: “Thin Bones Seen in Boys with Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder,” press release, National Institutes of Health, January 29, 2008, http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jan2008/nichd-29.htm.

123 Risks of alternative therapies: Camille Clark, personal communication, October 14, 2007.

123 North Carolina secretin study: A. D. Sandler, K. A. Sutton, J. DeWeese et al., “Lack of Benefit of a Single Dose of Synthetic Human Secretin in the Treatment of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder,” New England Journal of Medicine 341 (1999): 1801-6.

124 Humiston: Cited in U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform, Mercury in Medicine: Are We Taking Unnecessary Risks? 106th Congress, Second session, July 18, 2000 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2001), 207.

124 Laidler: J. R. Laidler, “Through the Looking Glass: My Involvement with Autism Quackery,” http://www.autism-watch.org/about/bio2.shtml.

126 California autism rates: Schechter and Grether, “Continuing Increases in Autism.”

126 Robert Davis: Cited in Kirby, Evidence of Harm, 276.

127 Arthur Allen on new data: A. Allen, interview, November 13, 2007; “The Not-So-Crackpot Autism Theory,” New York Times Magazine, November 10, 2002.

127 Arthur Allen on debate: A. Allen interview, November 13, 2007.

128 Seidel on reason for involvement: K. Seidel, interview, January 24, 2008.

128 Seidel on letter to Kirby: Ibid.

128 Seidel letter to Kirby: K. Seidel, May 29, 2005.

7. Behind the Mercury Curtain

Kathleen Seidel’s background and quotes were obtained from interviews on November 5, 2007, and January 24, 2008.

132 Haley as expert witness: “Opinion of the Court in the RhoGAM Trial,” http://www.kevinleitch.co.uk/wp/?p=393.

132 Haley in court, 2008: Pamela and Ernest Blackwell v. Sigma Aldrich, Inc., Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Case Number 24-C-04-004829.

133 Haley accusations: Ibid.

133 Haley and chelators: Dr. Neubrander Bio Chat, http://drneubrander.com.

133 McCormick on Haley: Cited in A. Mead and J. Warren, “U.K. Chemist Tilts at Autism’s Origins,” Lexington Herald-Leader, July 24, 2005.

133 Haley on McCormick: Cited in ibid.

133 NICO: J. E. Dodes and S. Barrett, “A Critical Look at Cavitational Osteopathosis, NICO, and ‘Biological Dentistry,’ ” Quackwatch, http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/cavitation.html.

134 Mark Geier and in vitro fertilization: Cited in C. Lowallen, “Breeding the Perfect Human,” Sunday Mail, October 9, 1988.

134 Mark Geier and DPT vaccine: T. Tyler, “Tests on Vaccine Are Inadequate, Geneticist Says,” Toronto Star, December 3, 1987.

135 Mark and David Geier’s home laboratory: G. Harris and A. O’Connor, “On Autism’s Causes, It’s Parents vs. Research,” New York Times, June 25, 2005.

136 Mark Geier in court: Reviewed in Weiss v. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, filed October 9, 2003, case number 03-190V.

136 Geiers’ MMR paper: M. R. Geier and D. A. Geier, “Pediatrics MMR Vaccination Safety,” International Pediatrics 18 (2003): 108-13.

137 Geiers’ thimerosal paper: M. R. Geier and D. A. Geier, “Thimerosal in Childhood Vaccines, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, and Heart Disease in the United States,” Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons 8 (2003): 6-10.

137 Flaws in Geiers’ study: “Study Fails to Show a Connection Between Thimerosal and Autism,” American Academy of Pediatrics, May 16, 2003, http://www.aap.org/profed/thimaut-may03.htm.

137 VAERS data supplied by personal-injury lawyers: M. J. Goodman and J. Nordin, “Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System Reporting Source: A Possible Source of Bias in Longitudinal Studies,” Pediatrics 117 (2006): 387-90.

138 Orient on Nightline: “Vaccines and Their Risks,” Nightline, October 14, 1999.

138 Pickering on epidemiological studies: L. Pickering, interview, October 31, 2007.

138 Criteria study: S. K. Parker, B. Schwartz, J. Todd, and L. K. Pickering, “Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Critical Review of Published Original Data,” Pediatrics 114 (2004): 793-804.

138 Pickering on eight criteria: L. Pickering, interview, October 31, 2007.

138 Pickering and lawsuit: Ibid.

139 Geiers’ lawsuit: Dr. Mark Geier and David Geier vs. Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Sarah K. Parker, Dr. James Todd, Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, Dr. Larry Pickering, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, filed September 1, 2005.

139 Pickering and lawsuit: L. Pickering, interview, October 31, 2007.

139 Parker and lawsuit: S. Parker, interview, November 6, 2007.

139 Pickering and lawsuit: L. Pickering, interview, October 31, 2007.

139 Geier testimony in court: Easter v. American Home Products, filed December 22, 2004, case number 1:2004mc00586.

140 David Geier at Autism One conference: Transcript of D. Geier talk and accompanying PowerPoint presentation found in “Significant Misrepresentations: Mark Geier, David Geier and the Evolution of the Lupron Protocol (Part Seven): An Unnatural Bond,” July 24, 2007, http://www.neurodiversity.com.

141 Geier and Lupron: Cited in “Significant Misrepresentations: Mark Geier, David Geier and the Evolution of the Lupron Protocol (Part Six): Desperation Time,” July 20, 2007, http://www.neurodiversity.com; emphasis added.

141 Seidel and IRB: Office for Human Research Protection, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, IRB Number IRB00005375, found in “Significant Misrepresentations: Mark Geier, David Geier and the Evolution of the Lupron Protocol (Part Two): An Elusive Institute,” June 20, 2006, http://www.neurodiversity.com.

142 Shoemaker on Mark Geier: Cited in “Significant Misrepresentations: Mark Geier, David Geier and the Evolution of the Lupron Protocol (Part Five): Testimony of the Faithful,” July 12, 2006, http://www.neurodiversity.com.

143 Seidel letter on use of trade names: K. Seidel, letter to Dr. Shoenfeld, editor-in-chief of Autoimmunity Reviews, November 10, 2006.

143 Geiers’ patents: “Methods for Screening, Studying, and Treating Disorders with a Component of Mercurial Toxicity,” file number 20060058271, filed September 16, 2004; “Methods of Treating Disorders Having a Component of Mercury Toxicity,” file number 20060058241, filed September 15, 2005.

144 TAP prosecution by federal government: “Significant Misrepresentations: Mark Geier, David Geier and the Evolution of the Lupron Protocol (Part Ten): TAP’s Connection,” August 29, 2006, http://www.neurodiversity.com; S. P. Duffy, “Pharmaceutical Companies to Pay $1.2B in Medicare Fraud,” Legal Intelligencer, June 24, 2003; “TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. and Seven Others Charged with Health Care Crimes: Company Agrees to Pay $875 Million to Settle Charges,” press release, U.S. Department of Justice, October 3, 2001; D. Gellene, “Drug Company Agrees to Plead Guilty: Will Pay Out $875 Million Penalty,” Los Angeles Times, October 5, 2001; J. Strax, “Lupron Kickbacks Betrayed Prostate Cancer Patient Trust,” PSA Rising, February 27, 2001; J. Appleby, “TAP Pharmaceuticals Fined $875 Million,” USA Today, October 3, 2001.

144 Seidel on culture that allows Geiers to flourish: “Significant Misrepresentations: Mark Geier, David Geier and the Evolution of the Lupron Protocol (Part Five): Testimony of the Faithful,” July 12, 2006, http://www.neurodiversity.com.

145 Handley and neurodiversity bloggers: E-mail from J. B. Handley to http://neurodiversity.com, October 11, 2005.

145 IOM and chelation: Institute of Medicine, Immunization Safety Review: Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 47.

146 Tariq Nadama death: “Deaths Associated with Hypocalcemia from Chelation Therapy—Texas, Pennsylvania, and Oregon, 2003-2005,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 55 (2006): 204-7; K. Kane: “Death of 5-Year-Old Boy Linked to Controversial Chelation Therapy,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 6, 2006; “Drug Error, Not Chelation Therapy, Killed Boy, Experts Say,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 18, 2006; V. Linn, “Parents of Children with Autism Discuss Results of Chelation,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 29, 2005; J. C. Yates, “Autistic Boy’s Death Raises Questions About Medical Treatment,” Associated Press, August 26, 2005; K. Kane and V. Linn, “Boy Dies During Autism Treatment,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 25, 2006; M. Fitzpatrick, “When Quackery Kills,” http://www.spiked-online.com, November 4, 2005; “PA Files Disciplinary Charges in Autistic Boy’s Death,” Associated Press, October 31, 2006; B. C. Rittmeyer, “Police Raid Mercer County Doctor’s Office,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, April 12, 2007; J. Mandak, “Doctor Charged in Autistic Boy’s Death,” Associated Press, August 22, 2007; R. Plushnick-Masti, “Doctor to Trial in Autistic Boy’s Death,” Associated Press, November 16, 2007; K. Kane, “Doctor Who Used Chelation Therapy Charged in Autistic Boy’s Death,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 23, 2007.

147 Rescue Angel on chelation: Cited in Linn, “Parents of Children with Autism Discuss Results of Chelation.”

147 Gismondi on criminal charges: Cited in Mandak, “Doctor Charged in Autistic Boy’s Death.”

147 Deth study: M. Waly, H. Olteanu, R. Banerjee et al., “Activation of Methionine Synthase by Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Dopamine: A Target for Neurodevelopmental Toxins and Thimerosal,” Molecular Psychiatry 9 (2004): 358-70.

148 Deth supported by Safe Minds: “Form 990 Tax Return,” Safe Minds, 2003, employer number 22:3767992.

148 Hornig study: M. Hornig, D. Chian, and W. I. Lipkin, “Neurotoxic Effects of Postnatal Thimerosal Are Mouse Strain Dependent,” Molecular Psychiatry 9 (2004): 833-45.

148 IOM on Hornig study: Institute of Medicine. Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism, 138.

148 Failure to reproduce Hornig study: R. F. Berman, I. N. Pessah, P. R. Mouton et al., “Low-Level Neonatal Thimerosal Exposure: Further Evidence of Altered Neurotoxic Potential in SJL Mice,” Toxicological Sciences 101 (2008): 294-309.

148 Hornig supported by Safe Minds: “Form 990 Tax Return,” Safe Minds, 2003, employer number 22:3767992.

149 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Imus: “Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., on Vaccines and Autism,” Imus in the Morning, June 20, 2005.

149 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arrest: “Robert Kennedy Jr. Admits He Is Guilty in Possessing Heroin,” New York Times, February 18, 1984.

149 Walter Olson regarding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: W. Olson, interview, October 17, 2007.

149 Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and pork producers: Discover the Networks.Org, http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=693.

150 Kennedy and Levin Papantonio: W. Olson, interview, October 17, 2007.

150 Olson and Rolling Stone: Ibid.

150 Kirby and interviews for Evidence of Harm: Kirby, Evidence of Harm, xiii.

151 Curtis Allen and Kirby: C. Allen, interview, October 19, 2007.

151 Kirby and journalistic neutrality: E. Arranga, D. Kirby, and T. Small, “Interview with David Kirby Concerning ‘Evidence of Harm’ Associated with Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines,” Medical Veritas 2 (2005): 1-9.

151 Arthur Allen and Kirby: A. Allen, interview, November 13, 2007.

152 Arthur Allen and Kirby’s book: Ibid.

152 Kirby and alternative points of view: Kirby, Evidence of Harm, xiii.

153 Kirby and NPR: Cited in “NPR, Air America Nix Autism/Vaccine Book,” Corporate Crime Reporter, April 21, 2005.

153 Kirby laments Imus firing: D. Kirby, “Imus, Autism, and America,” Huffington Post, April 14, 2007.

153 Waxman and scientists: U.S. Congress, Autism: Present Challenges, Future Needs, 190.

154 Redwood lawsuit: Lyndelle and William Thomas Redwood on behalf of Will Redwood, Atlanta, Georgia, Court of Federal Claims number 04- 0402V.

154 Burton and pharmaceutical companies: U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform, Truth Revealed: New Scientific Discoveries Regarding Mercury in Medicine and Autism, 108th Congress, Second session, September 8, 2004 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2004), 201.

154 Kirby and pharmaceutical companies: “Evidence of Harm Follow-Up,” Imus in the Morning, April 4, 2005.

155 Personal-injury lawyer predicts thimerosal litigation: Cited in B. Rimland, “The Autism-Vaccine Disaster,” Autism Research Review International 16 (2002): 3.

8. Science in Court

Unless otherwise stated, all quotes from George Hastings, Thomas Powers, Vincent Matanoski, Sylvia Chin-Caplan, Theresa Cedillo, Vas Aposhian, Arthur Krigsman, Vera Byers, Marcel Kinsbourne, Eric Fombonne, Stephen Bustin, and Nicholas Chadwick were taken from the Omnibus Autism Proceeding, Federal Claims Court, Washington, D.C., http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/omnibus-autism-proceeding.

156 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act: G. Evans, D. Harris, and E. M. Levine, “Legal Issues,” in Plotkin, Orenstein, and Offit, Vaccines; T. Mauro, “Vaccine Test Case Reaches Federal Court,” Legal Times, June 4, 2007.

157 Bendectin: The two best sources for information on Bendectin are Green, Bendectin and Birth Defects, and Huber, Galileo’s Revenge, 111-29.

158 Kevin Conway on Omnibus Autism Proceeding: Cited in Mauro, “Vaccine Test Case Reaches Federal Court.”

158 Federal judges in Omnibus Autism Proceeding: M. Fox, “Washington Court Will Hear Autism-Vaccine Suits,” http://www.reuters.com, June 10, 2007.

162 Michelle Cedillo in court: G. Harris, “Opening Statements in Case on Autism and Vaccinations,” New York Times, June 12, 2007.

162 Theresa and Michael Cedillo: B. Meadows and S. Mandel, “Vaccinations on Trial,” People, July 2, 2007.

170 Bustin: Cited in M. Fitzpatrick, “The MMR-Autism Theory? There’s Nothing in It,” http://www.spiked-online.com, July 4, 2007.

174 Andrew Wakefield and David Brown: D. Salisbury, interview, October 24, 2007.

9. Science and the Media

177 Meet the Press: Tim Russert, interview with Harvey Fineberg and David Kirby, Meet the Press, August 7, 2005.

178 Harvey Fineberg: H. Fineberg, interview, November 1, 2007.

179 Judea Pearl: J. Pearl, “The Daniel Pearl Standard,” Wall Street Journal, January 30, 2008.

180 Flat Earth Society: http://www.alaska.net/~clund/e_djublonskopf/Flatearthsociety.htm.

181 Arthur Allen: A. Allen, interview, November 13, 2007.

182 Harris and O’Connor New York Times article: G. Harris and A. O’Connor, “On Autism’s Causes, It’s Parents vs. Research,” New York Times, June 25, 2005.

182 Daniel Schulman: D. Schulman, “Drug Test,” Columbia Journalism Review , November/December 2005.

182 Blogger to Westover: Cited in ibid.

183 Westover to blogger: Cited in ibid.

183 Pinker and apple cart: S. Pinker, review of N. Angier, “The Canon: A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science,” New York Times Book Review, May 27, 2007.

184 Phillips on Wakefield: M. Phillips, “MMR: The Truth,” Daily Mail, March 11, 2003.

184 Johnson on science as subversive: G. Johnson, review of F. Dyson, “The Scientist as Rebel,” New York Times Book Review, January 7, 2007.

184 Haldane on scientists and reason: Cited in ibid.

186 Shermer on lone scientists: Shermer, Why People Believe Weird Things, 50.

186 Relman on publishing science: Cited in Milloy, Junk Science Judo, 170.

186 MacMahon study: B. MacMahon, S. Yen, D. Trichopoulos et al., “Coffee and Cancer of the Pancreas,” New England Journal of Medicine 304 (1981): 630-33.

187 Shermer on fallibility of science: Shermer, Why People Believe Weird Things, 21.

187 Park and standing on loose soil: Park, Voodoo Science, 39.

188 Hill and Knowlton: Hill and Knowlton’s influence and all quotes on the cigarette smoking controversy can be found in Brandt, The Cigarette Century.

191 Russell’s teapot analogy: B. Russell, “Is There a God?” http://evans-experientialism.freewebspace.com/russell10.htm.

191 Berger opinion: Pamela and Ernest Blackwell v. Sigma Aldrich, Inc., Circuit Court for Baltimore City, case number 24-C-04-004829, 2008.

193 Park on confronting voodoo science: Park, Voodoo Science, 27.

194 Fombonne and beliefs: Omnibus Autism Proceeding, http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/omnibus-autism-proceeding.

195 Park on eminent scientists: Park, Voodoo Science, 9.

10. Science and Society

197 Church ruling against Galileo: “The Crime of Galileo: Indictment and Abjuration of 1633,” http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1630galileo.html.

197 Burton on CNN: Talk Back Live, CNN, October 5, 1999.

197 Burton and potential conflicts: U.S. Congress, Autism: Present Challenges, Future Needs, 194.

198 Milloy on suppressing science: Milloy and Gough, Silencing Science, vi.

198 Breast-implant litigant on scientific funding: Cited in ibid., 37.

198 Haley on pharmaceutical companies: Cited in A. Mead and J. Warren, “U.K. Chemist Tilts at Autism’s Origins,” Lexington Herald-Leader, July 24, 2005.

199 Unethical acts by pharmaceutical companies: G. Harris: “Abbott to Pay $622 Million to End Inquiry Into Marketing,” New York Times, June 27, 2003; “Medical Marketing Treatment by Incentive; As Doctor Writes Prescription, Drug Company Writes a Check,” New York Times, June 27, 2004; “Guilty Pleas Seen for Drug Maker,” New York Times, July 16, 2004; “FDA Seizes Millions of Pills from Pharmaceutical Plants,” New York Times, March 5, 2005.

199 Rothman and new McCarthyism: K. Rothman, “Conflict of Interest: The New McCarthyism in Science,” Journal of the American Medical Association 269 (1993): 2782-84.

200 Horton on Wakefield: T. Moynihan, “Lancet Doubts Validity of Controversial MMR Report,” Press Association, February 20, 2004.

201 Cold fusion: Taubes, Bad Science.

202 University of Google: Jenny McCarthy on the Oprah Winfrey Show, September 18, 2007.

202 Muir Gray on postmodernism: J. A. Muir Gray, “Post-Modern Medicine,” Lancet 354 (1999): 1550-53.

203 Waxman and scientific expertise: U.S. Congress, Autism: Present Challenges, Future Needs, 190.

204 Smith on postmodernism: R. Smith, “The Discomfort of Patient Power,” British Medical Journal 324 (2002): 497-98.

204 Smith on ignoring medical advice: Ibid.

204 Fitzpatrick on respecting expertise: Fitzpatrick, MMR and Autism, 187.

204 Fitzpatrick on pragmatism: Ibid.

205 Birth of NCCAM: J. Groopman, “No Alternative,” Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2006.

206 Alternative medicines: Ibid.

207 Groopman on distinguishing magic from medicine: Ibid.

207 Pratt at Burton hearing: Cited in U.S. Congress, Autism: Present Challenges, Future Needs, 441.

207 Park on goals of a civilized society: Park, Voodoo Science, 211.

207 Strauss on anecdotes: Cited in Groopman, “No Alternative.”

209 IOM report on MMR: Institute of Medicine, Immunization Safety Review: Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine and Autism.

209 Burton on Institute of Medicine report: Cited in B. Vastag, “Congressional Autism Hearings Continue: No Evidence MMR Vaccine Causes Disorder,” Journal of the American Medical Association 285 (2001): 2567-69.

209 Incidence of autism in 1998: E. Sponheim and O. Skjeldal, “Autism and Related Disorders: Epidemiological Findings in a Norwegian Study Using ICD-10 Diagnostic Criteria,” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 28 (1998): 217-27; E. Fombonne, “The Epidemiology of Autism: A Review,” Psychological Medicine 29 (1999): 769-86.

210 Shermer on making connections: Shermer, Why People Believe Weird Things, 7.

210 Park on patterns: Park, Voodoo Science, 38.

211 Park on ancient beliefs: Ibid., 9.

211 Popular beliefs: G. H. Gallup Jr. and F. Newport, “Belief in Paranormal Phenomena Among Adult Americans,” Skeptical Inquirer 15 (1991): 137-47.

212 Wakefield “Through a Glass Darkly” paper: A. J. Wakefield and S. M. Montgomery, “Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine: Through a Glass Darkly,” Adverse Drug Reactions and Toxicological Reviews 19 (2000): 265-83.

212 Bridget Wakefield: Cited in B. Deer, “MMR: The Truth Behind the Crisis,” Sunday Times (London), February 22, 2004.

212 Good News Doctor Foundation: Cited in Horton, MMR Science, 31.

213 Sykes and deceivers: Cited in “A Plaintiff in the Pulpit: Problems with United Methodist Church Advocacy on Behalf of Vaccine-Injury Litigants,” letter written by Kathleen Seidel to the Council of Bishops, the General Board of Global Ministries, the General Board of Church and Society, the Women’s Division of the United Methodist Church, and the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, April 12, 2007, http://www.neurodiversity.com/weblog/article/126.

213 Sykes in 2006: Ibid.

213 Sykes in 2007: Ibid.

214 Seidel on symbols: K. Seidel, interview, November 5, 2007.

214 Rescue Angel: Cited in V. Linn, “Parents of Children with Autism Discuss Results of Chelation: Debate Over Controversial Treatment Heats Up After Death of 5-Year-Old Boy,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 29, 2005.

214 Halloween candy: Heath and Heath. Made to Stick, 14.

216 Milloy and Dateline NBC: Milloy, Junk Science Judo, 11.

216 Penn and Teller on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi3erdgVVTw.

216 Fumento on risk: Fumento, Science Under Siege.

11. A Place for Autism

Unless otherwise specified, all quotes in this chapter were obtained from interviews with Peter Hotez and Kathleen Seidel on October 26 and November 5, 2007, respectively, and from a personal communication from Camille Clark on October 18, 2007.

218 Genetics: I. Rapin: “Autism,” New England Journal of Medicine 337 (1997): 97-104, “The Autistic-Spectrum Disorders,” New England Journal of Medicine 347 (2002): 302-3; J. Piven, “The Biological Basis of Autism,” Current Opinion in Neurobiology 7 (1997): 708-12; M. M. Bristol, D. J. Cohen, E. J. Costello et al., “State of the Science in Autism: Report of the National Institutes of Health,” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 26 (1996): 121-54; S. Vedantam, “Autism Risk Rises with Age of Father,” Washington Post, September 5, 2006; E. Stokstad, “New Hints Into the Biological Basis of Autism,” Science 294 (2001): 34-37; P. M. Rodier, “The Early Origins of Autism,” Scientific American, February 2000; P. M. Rodier, J. L. Ingram, B. Tisdale et al., “Embryological Origin for Autism: Developmental Anomalies of the Cranial Nerve Motor Nuclei,” Journal of Comparative Neurology 379 (1996): 247-61; K. Wong, “The Search for Autism’s Roots,” Nature 411 (2001): 882-84; International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium, “A Genomewide Screen for Autism: Strong Evidence for Linkage to Chromosomes 2q, 7q, and 16p,” American Journal of Human Genetics 69 (2001): 570-81; T. H. Wassink, J. Piven, V. J. Vieland et al., “Evidence Supporting WNT2 as an Autism Susceptibility Gene,” American Journal of Medical Genetics 105 (2001): 406-13; J. L. Ingram, C. J. Stodgell, S. L. Hyman et al., “Discovery of Allelic Variants of HOXA1 and HOXB1: Genetic Susceptibility to Autism Spectrum Disorders,” Teratology 62 (2000): 393- 405; S. J. Spence, “The Genetics of Autism,” Seminars in Pediatric Neurology 11 (2004): 196-204; C. Dennis, “All in the Mind of a Mouse,” Nature 438 (2005): 151-52; J. Sebat, B. Lakshmi, D. Malhotra et al., “Strong Association of De Novo Copy Number Mutations with Autism,” Science Express, March 15, 2007; “Cause of Autism Narrowed Down to 100 Genes,” All Things Considered, National Public Radio, March 15, 2007; T. W. Briggs, “Older Parents May Be Risk Factor for Autism,” USA Today, April 4, 2007; S. M. Klauk, “Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder,” European Journal of Human Genetics14 (2006): 714-20; T. H. Wassink, L. M. Brzustowicz, C. W. Bartlett, and P. Szatmari, “The Search for Autism Disease Genes,” Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Reviews 10 (2004): 272-83; R. Muhle, S. V. Trentacoste, and I. Rapin, “The Genetics of Autism,” Pediatrics 113 (2004): 472-86; M. T. Miller, K. Strömland, L. Ventura et al., “Autism Associated with Conditions Characterized by Developmental Errors in Early Embryogenesis: A Mini Review,” International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience 23 (2005): 201-19.

218 Cook on genetics: Cited in Omnibus Autism Proceeding, June 17, 2007, http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/omnibus-autism-proceeding.

219 2007 study: R. Moessner, C. R. Marshall, J. S. Sutcliffe et al., “Contribution of SHANK-3 Mutations to Autism Spectrum Disorder,” American Journal of Human Genetics 81 (2007): 1289-97.

219 Home movie studies: J. L. Adrien, A. Perrot, D. Sauvage et al., “Early Symptoms in Autism from Family Home Movies,” Acta Paedopsychiatrica 55 (1992): 71-75; P. Teitelbaum, O. Teitelbaum, J. Nye et al., “Movement Analysis in Infancy May Be Useful for Early Diagnosis of Autism,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 95 (1998): 13982-87; A. E. Mars, J. E. Mauk, and P. W. Dowrick, “Symptoms of Pervasive Developmental Disorders as Observed in Prediagnostic Home Videos of Infants and Toddlers,” Journal of Pediatrics 132 (1998): 500-504; J. L. Adrien, P. Lenoir, J. Martineau et al., “Blind Ratings of Early Symptoms of Autism Based Upon Family Home Movies,” Journal of the American Academy of Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry 32 (1993): 617-26; R. Palomo, M. Belinchón, and S. Ozonoff, “Autism and Family Home Movies: A Comprehensive Review,” Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 27 (2006): 59-68.

219 Canadian study: L. Zwaigenbaum, S. Bryson, T. Rogers et al., “Behavioral Manifestations of Autism in the First Year of Life,” International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience 23 (2005): 143-52.

219 Thalidomide: K. Strömland, V. Nordin, M. Miller et al., “Autism in Thalidomide Embryopathy: A Population Study,” Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 36 (1994): 351-56; Rodier, “The Early Origins of Autism.”

219 Rubella: R. B. Feldman, R. Lajoie, L. Mendelson, and L. Pinsky, “Congenital Rubella and Language Disorders,” Lancet 2 (1971): 978; S. Chess, P. Fernandez, and S. Korn, “Behavioral Consequences of Congenital Rubella,” Journal of Pediatrics 93 (1978): 699-703; C. N. Swisher and L. Swisher, “Congenital Rubella and Autistic Behavior,” New England Journal of Medicine 293 (1975): 198.

220 RhoGam study: J. H. Miles and T. N. Takahashi, “Lack of Association Between Rh Status, Rh Immune Globulin in Pregnancy, and Autism,” American Journal of Medical Genetics 143 (2007): 1397-1407.

220 Minamata Bay and Iraq: D. O. Marsh, T. W. Clarkson, C. Cox et al., “Fetal Methylmercury Poisoning: Relationship Between Concentration in Single Strands of Maternal Hair and Child Effects,” Archives of Neurology 44 (1987): 1017-22; P. W. Davidson, G. J. Myers, and B. Weiss, “Mercury Exposure and Child Development Outcomes,” Pediatrics 113 (2004): 1023-29; M. Harada, “Minamata Disease: Methylmercury Poisoning in Japan Caused by Environmental Pollution,” Critical Reviews in Toxicology 25 (1995): 1-24.

220 Bourgeron regarding synaptic proteins: Cited in K. Garber, “Autism’s Cause May Reside in Abnormalities at the Synapse,” Science 317 (2007): 190-91.

231 Grinker and hope: Grinker, Unstrange Minds, 5.

232 Grinker on research funding: Ibid., 9.

232 Grinker on vaccines: Ibid., 14.

233 Grinker on Isabel: Ibid., 284.

Epilogue

235 Jenny McCarthy on Oprah: Interview by Oprah Winfrey, Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC, September 18, 2007.

237 Jenny McCarthy on Good Morning America: Interview by Diane Sawyer, Good Morning America, ABC, September 24, 2007.

237 McCarthy on curing autism: J. McCarthy, Louder than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism (New York: Dutton, 2007), 104.

238 McCarthy and B₁₂ shots: Ibid., 139.

238 McCarthy and Diflucan: Ibid., 165.

238 Jenny McCarthy on Larry King Live: Interview by Larry King, Larry King Live, CNN, September 26, 2007.

239 Larry King on Kartzinel: Ibid.

239 Kartzinel on treating autism: Cited in McCarthy, Louder than Words, xvi.

239 Kartzinel and Jenny McCarthy on Larry King Live: Interview by Larry King, Larry King Live, CNN, September 26, 2007.

241 McCarthy on toxins: McCarthy, Louder than Words, 181.

241 Fineberg and offering cures: H. Fineberg, interview, November 1, 2007.

243 Eli Stone: Broadcast on ABC, January 31, 2008.

244 Wyatt: E. Wyatt, “ABC Drama Takes on Science and Parents,” New York Times, January 23, 2008.

245 Articles questioning ABC’s judgment: B. Kruskal and C. Allen, “Perpetrating the Autism Myth,” Boston Globe, January 31, 2008; J. Steir, “ABC’s Autism Outrage,” New York Post, January 31, 2008; “Eli Stone’s Leap of Faith,” New York Times, February 2, 2008; J. Kornblum, “First-Episode Controversy: The Vaccine-Autism Link,” USA Today, January 29, 2008.

245 Influenza deaths: S. D. James, “Vaccine-Autism Debate Moves to Small Screen,” ABC News, http://www.abcnews.com/print?id=4218078.

245 AAP letter to ABC: R. R. Jenkins, letter to Anne Sweeney, January 25, 2008.

245 AAP on canceling Eli Stone: “American Academy of Pediatrics Calls for Cancellation of ABC’s Eli Stone Premiere,” AAP press release, January 28, 2008.

245 ABC fails to respond to AAP: James, “Vaccine-Autism Debate Moves to Small Screen.”

245 Berlanti: Cited in J. Ivory, eFluxMedia, January 29, 2008, http://www.efluxmedia.com/action-print-n_id-13345.html.

245 Minshew: Cited in M. Roth, “Pitt Expert Goes Public to Counter Fallacy on Autism,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 31, 2008.

245 Lawyer defends children: A. M. Schwartz, letter to Anne Sweeney, January 30, 2008.

246 Goldberg on stakes: E. Goldberg, “Is There a Link Between Vaccines and Autism?” American Lawyer, August 1, 2007.

246 Sugarman on litigation: Cited in J. Interlundi, “Autism and Vaccines: A Coming Wave of Lawsuits?” Newsweek, September 26, 2007.

246 USA Today advertisement: USA Today, September 25, 2007.

247 Sugarman on jurors: Cited in Interlundi, “Autism and Vaccines.”