Hearing may link autism to vaccines

NorthJersey.com ^ | 06.11.07 | SHANKAR VEDANTAM

[Fabozz]

"But thimerosal still is used in vaccines across much of the developing world."

Ah... so obviously, if thimerosal causes autism, autism is widespread in the developing world?

"Under pressure from the advocates and to keep the issue from disrupting vaccination programs, U.S. officials began phasing out the additive, thimerosal, in children's vaccines around 1999..."

Ah... so obviously autism is now on the decline in this country, since we, unlike those poor victims in the developing world, have finally ended the scourge of thimerosal?

"For more than a decade, families across the country have been warring with the medical establishment over their claims that routine childhood vaccines are responsible for the nation's apparent epidemic of autism."

But wait... there's an epidemic of autism in this country, not the developing world? And rates here have "continued to soar"? Well then how on Earth can any scientist possibly maintain that thimerosal causes autism?

"But Kevin Conway, a Boston attorney representing the family of 12-year-old Michelle Cedillo of Yuma, Ariz., whose claim was designated the opening test case for more than 4,800 plaintiffs, said that even if the science is equivocal, he has a good legal argument, which is all he needs."

Ahhhh, that explains everything. This isn't about what's true, it's about "a good legal argument." Well then, by all means, let's ban vaccines and pay billions of dollars to plaintiffs' attorneys. Justice must be served!