Re: Mixed reaction after autism study termed fraud - But ...

January 8, 2011

Would someone comment on the ideas below?

I've read legitimate research investigating the possibility that

autism is linked not to the MMR vaccine per se but to an immune system

-- most specifically, IL-6 -- that goes nuclear when the child's

immune defences are weakened for a series of reasons: genetic,

epigenetic, environmental. Antibodies, this idea goes, lead to

over-working cytokines & autoimmune problems, which in turn cause

several kinds of damage sych as poor serotonin production,

hypoperfusion, inadequate removal of apoptosic products, incorrect

apical-dendritic pruning, inadequate development of spindle neurons,

as well as metabolic drains on other body systems. In other words,

Wakefield happened to find clues related to MMR vaccinations, but

actually got clues showing a risk to ALL early vaccinations.

Does any of the anti-Wakefield reporting refute this possibility? Or

prove it's not worth OUR consideration?

All the best.

Tim Stearns

On 1/7/11, jeannne buesser <jbmistletoe@...> wrote:

> Mixed reaction after autism study termed fraud

>

> With the publication of new research that declares a 13-year-old study " an

> elaborate fraud " for linking autism and bowel disease to the

> measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, the division between medical experts and

> devotees to the notion has grown deeper and sharper.

>

> In 1998, Dr. Wakefield published a study in The Lancet purporting an

> association between the MMR vaccine and the two medical conditions. And

> while never stating a direct cause and effect, Wakefield, who has since been

> stripped of his British medical license, called on doctors to suspend

> vaccinating children with the two-dose vaccine. He now runs a Texas-based

> institute called the Thoughtful House Center for Children.

>

> Last year, more than a decade after publishing the medical report, The

> Lancet retracted it. Now, in a series of three articles that began this week

> in the British Medical Journal, a new investigation reveals the extent of

> what's being called a scam behind the vaccine scare.

>

> The reports are written by an investigative journalist who probed the

> motivations behind Wakefield's research, an effort that has consumed the

> past seven years. Deer reported that Wakefield and a lawyer were

> probably co-conspirators who attempted to extort compensation from vaccine

> makers and that Wakefield concocted his findings to aid the lawyer's

> lawsuits against the companies. Wakefield, who has spoken at autism events

> on Long Island, did not return Newsday's calls Thursday.

>

> Heeren of Middle Island, who was key in bringing Wakefield to Long

> Island to speak at a conference on autism five years ago, said she is

> sickened by reports against a doctor who she says has helped thousands of

> children. " To see him dragged through the mud like this is heartbreaking, "

> said Heeren, the mother of an 11-year-old son with autism.

>

> But medical experts say Wakefield's research caused thousands of children to

> go unvaccinated because of parental fears. Thousands of parents have

> abandoned vaccines of all kinds based on junk science notions in Wakefield's

> research, said Dr. Beth Koslap-Petraco, who chairs the legislative

> affairs division of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island.

>

> Koslap-Petraco, who has also served on the National Vaccine Advisory

> Committee, which advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

> says there is an upsurge in the United States in cases of whooping cough,

> measles, mumps and chickenpox that can be directly linked to avoiding

> vaccines.

>

> Krakow, a Garden City lawyer who represented dozens of families in a

> case three years ago that sought to link autism to vaccine, sees Wakefield

> as a victim. " You wonder why this focus on him and these misleading

> statements - these efforts to tar and feather him. "

>

January 11, 2011

Based on my experiences with my family and 2 autistic children, I believe that

autism has a HUGE genetic component. Watching videos of the kids now and

understanding what it is, we could pick out autistic behaviors when they were 6

months old way before they had the MMR shot.

Biggest reason for my belief-my husband. After my children were diagnosed and

we found out the " symptoms " , he has aspergers syndrome but was never diagnosed

(his parents thought it was so cute that he would drive around in circles all

day on his hot cycle and how he was obsessed with traffic lights when he was 4).

However, he has a very mild case and is very very successful in his adult life.

Our children are much more severe. Also, his cousins children are showing

symptoms of mild aspergers.

> > Mixed reaction after autism study termed fraud

> >

> > With the publication of new research that declares a 13-year-old study " an

> > elaborate fraud " for linking autism and bowel disease to the

> > measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, the division between medical experts and

> > devotees to the notion has grown deeper and sharper.

> >

> > In 1998, Dr. Wakefield published a study in The Lancet purporting an

> > association between the MMR vaccine and the two medical conditions. And

> > while never stating a direct cause and effect, Wakefield, who has since been

> > stripped of his British medical license, called on doctors to suspend

> > vaccinating children with the two-dose vaccine. He now runs a Texas-based

> > institute called the Thoughtful House Center for Children.

> >

> > Last year, more than a decade after publishing the medical report, The

> > Lancet retracted it. Now, in a series of three articles that began this week

> > in the British Medical Journal, a new investigation reveals the extent of

> > what's being called a scam behind the vaccine scare.

> >

> > The reports are written by an investigative journalist who probed the

> > motivations behind Wakefield's research, an effort that has consumed the

> > past seven years. Deer reported that Wakefield and a lawyer were

> > probably co-conspirators who attempted to extort compensation from vaccine

> > makers and that Wakefield concocted his findings to aid the lawyer's

> > lawsuits against the companies. Wakefield, who has spoken at autism events

> > on Long Island, did not return Newsday's calls Thursday.

> >

> > Heeren of Middle Island, who was key in bringing Wakefield to Long

> > Island to speak at a conference on autism five years ago, said she is

> > sickened by reports against a doctor who she says has helped thousands of

> > children. " To see him dragged through the mud like this is heartbreaking, "

> > said Heeren, the mother of an 11-year-old son with autism.

> >

> > But medical experts say Wakefield's research caused thousands of children to

> > go unvaccinated because of parental fears. Thousands of parents have

> > abandoned vaccines of all kinds based on junk science notions in Wakefield's

> > research, said Dr. Beth Koslap-Petraco, who chairs the legislative

> > affairs division of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island.

> >

> > Koslap-Petraco, who has also served on the National Vaccine Advisory

> > Committee, which advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

> > says there is an upsurge in the United States in cases of whooping cough,

> > measles, mumps and chickenpox that can be directly linked to avoiding

> > vaccines.

> >

> > Krakow, a Garden City lawyer who represented dozens of families in a

> > case three years ago that sought to link autism to vaccine, sees Wakefield

> > as a victim. " You wonder why this focus on him and these misleading

> > statements - these efforts to tar and feather him. "

> >

>

January 11, 2011

So given that we do have this 500% increase in autism over the past 15

years--could it just bbe that somethign in the environment is triggering the

" genetic component " --sure genetics play a part but environmental toxins activate

genes that would otherwise remain inactive in many.

Ther eis NO SUCH THING as a GENETIC EPIDEMIC--genes work with the

environment--they are activated--or ---remain inactive--and the field of

epigenetics shows that they can even be turned off--by environmental factors.

So YES--huge genetic component--but that is true for everything

else---Alzheimer's, parkinson, Schizophrenia and all mental ilnesses--they all

have aHUGE genetic componet--but environemtnal factors trigger them.

For those who have not see this video--put out by the Environmental Working

Group----- " 10 Americans "

http://vimeo.com/4521502

---it is worth watching--and then google the word " epigenetics " and

read a little on that. It will explain why balming various ilnesses on genes

alone is just not ver " scientific " at all--there are ALWAYS ENVIRONMENTAL

FACTORS--that activate these genes. And the increase in ASD cannot be

denied--nor can it be denied that these kids havre a lot more wrong with them

than just their neurologicla functioning--like their immune functioning and

metabolic processing and so on. These all interaqct to worsen or ameliorate

symptoms.

For thiose still in doubt--read " Children with Starving brains "

All the best,

Elena

From: wandre_k <wandre_k@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Mixed reaction after autism study termed

fraud - But ...

Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 6:44 AM

Based on my experiences with my family and 2 autistic children, I believe that

autism has a HUGE genetic component. Watching videos of the kids now and

understanding what it is, we could pick out autistic behaviors when they were 6

months old way before they had the MMR shot.

Biggest reason for my belief-my husband. After my children were diagnosed and

we found out the " symptoms " , he has aspergers syndrome but was never diagnosed

(his parents thought it was so cute that he would drive around in circles all

day on his hot cycle and how he was obsessed with traffic lights when he was

4). However, he has a very mild case and is very very successful in his adult

life. Our children are much more severe. Also, his cousins children are

showing symptoms of mild aspergers.

> > Mixed reaction after autism study termed fraud

> >

> > With the publication of new research that declares a 13-year-old study " an

> > elaborate fraud " for linking autism and bowel disease to the

> > measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, the division between medical experts and

> > devotees to the notion has grown deeper and sharper.

> >

> > In 1998, Dr. Wakefield published a study in The Lancet purporting an

> > association between the MMR vaccine and the two medical conditions. And

> > while never stating a direct cause and effect, Wakefield, who has since been

> > stripped of his British medical license, called on doctors to suspend

> > vaccinating children with the two-dose vaccine. He now runs a Texas-based

> > institute called the Thoughtful House Center for Children.

> >

> > Last year, more than a decade after publishing the medical report, The

> > Lancet retracted it. Now, in a series of three articles that began this week

> > in the British Medical Journal, a new investigation reveals the extent of

> > what's being called a scam behind the vaccine scare.

> >

> > The reports are written by an investigative journalist who probed the

> > motivations behind Wakefield's research, an effort that has consumed the

> > past seven years. Deer reported that Wakefield and a lawyer were

> > probably co-conspirators who attempted to extort compensation from vaccine

> > makers and that Wakefield concocted his findings to aid the lawyer's

> > lawsuits against the companies. Wakefield, who has spoken at autism events

> > on Long Island, did not return Newsday's calls Thursday.

> >

> > Heeren of Middle Island, who was key in bringing Wakefield to Long

> > Island to speak at a conference on autism five years ago, said she is

> > sickened by reports against a doctor who she says has helped thousands of

> > children. " To see him dragged through the mud like this is heartbreaking, "

> > said Heeren, the mother of an 11-year-old son with autism.

> >

> > But medical experts say Wakefield's research caused thousands of children to

> > go unvaccinated because of parental fears. Thousands of parents have

> > abandoned vaccines of all kinds based on junk science notions in Wakefield's

> > research, said Dr. Beth Koslap-Petraco, who chairs the legislative

> > affairs division of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island.

> >

> > Koslap-Petraco, who has also served on the National Vaccine Advisory

> > Committee, which advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

> > says there is an upsurge in the United States in cases of whooping cough,

> > measles, mumps and chickenpox that can be directly linked to avoiding

> > vaccines.

> >

> > Krakow, a Garden City lawyer who represented dozens of families in a

> > case three years ago that sought to link autism to vaccine, sees Wakefield

> > as a victim. " You wonder why this focus on him and these misleading

> > statements - these efforts to tar and feather him. "

> >

>

------------------------------------

January 12, 2011

Then the next question is, is there really this much of an increase, or is it

being diagnosed/identified more now by parents and professionals with more

information? Is there a possibility it's being overdiagnosed - resulting in

misdiagnosis for different things children may have? This has happened before

with ADHD in children more recently and Bipolar D/O in adults a long time ago.

It's very challenging to clearly know, and probably there are multiple causes

and multiple combinations of reasons why it occurs and why it may be more severe

in some than others.

Regardless, my hope is that time/research/advocacy will let us know more

difinitively what these causes are, and that our children get the help that they

need and deserve to live full, productive, satisfying lives. :-)

Diane

> > > Mixed reaction after autism study termed fraud

> > >

> > > With the publication of new research that declares a 13-year-old study " an

> > > elaborate fraud " for linking autism and bowel disease to the

> > > measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, the division between medical experts and

> > > devotees to the notion has grown deeper and sharper.

> > >

> > > In 1998, Dr. Wakefield published a study in The Lancet purporting

an

> > > association between the MMR vaccine and the two medical conditions. And

> > > while never stating a direct cause and effect, Wakefield, who has since

been

> > > stripped of his British medical license, called on doctors to suspend

> > > vaccinating children with the two-dose vaccine. He now runs a Texas-based

> > > institute called the Thoughtful House Center for Children.

> > >

> > > Last year, more than a decade after publishing the medical report, The

> > > Lancet retracted it. Now, in a series of three articles that began this

week

> > > in the British Medical Journal, a new investigation reveals the extent of

> > > what's being called a scam behind the vaccine scare.

> > >

> > > The reports are written by an investigative journalist who probed the

> > > motivations behind Wakefield's research, an effort that has consumed the

> > > past seven years. Deer reported that Wakefield and a lawyer were

> > > probably co-conspirators who attempted to extort compensation from vaccine

> > > makers and that Wakefield concocted his findings to aid the lawyer's

> > > lawsuits against the companies. Wakefield, who has spoken at autism events

> > > on Long Island, did not return Newsday's calls Thursday.

> > >

> > > Heeren of Middle Island, who was key in bringing Wakefield to

Long

> > > Island to speak at a conference on autism five years ago, said she is

> > > sickened by reports against a doctor who she says has helped thousands of

> > > children. " To see him dragged through the mud like this is heartbreaking, "

> > > said Heeren, the mother of an 11-year-old son with autism.

> > >

> > > But medical experts say Wakefield's research caused thousands of children

to

> > > go unvaccinated because of parental fears. Thousands of parents have

> > > abandoned vaccines of all kinds based on junk science notions in

Wakefield's

> > > research, said Dr. Beth Koslap-Petraco, who chairs the legislative

> > > affairs division of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island.

> > >

> > > Koslap-Petraco, who has also served on the National Vaccine Advisory

> > > Committee, which advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

> > > says there is an upsurge in the United States in cases of whooping cough,

> > > measles, mumps and chickenpox that can be directly linked to avoiding

> > > vaccines.

> > >

> > > Krakow, a Garden City lawyer who represented dozens of families in

a

> > > case three years ago that sought to link autism to vaccine, sees Wakefield

> > > as a victim. " You wonder why this focus on him and these misleading

> > > statements - these efforts to tar and feather him. "

> > >

> >

>

> ------------------------------------

>

January 12, 2011

Diane,

While there may be an overdiagnose of ASD--along with ADHD and othe disorders

that doctors are quick to diagnose when they can't quite tell what it is--The

POINT IS--there is a RISE in all Neurological and metabolic disorders--in all

ages--the young and the old being the most vulnerable.Â That cannot be

denied--not at thsi point---10 years ago--maybe--but now we jsut have to accept

that because the numbers are overwhealming and we cannot hide behind the better

diagnosis excuse.

Sure there is overdiagnosis to some extent---some apraxic only kids are dignosed

ASD--sadly so becuase they get the wrong--inapropriate

tratment. But that does NOT change the fact that there is MORE neurological

damage of all kinds---everywhere--that is what both apraxia and ASD have in

common--neurological and metabolic damage--many if not most apraxic kids have

sensory issues, low tone, have autoimmune disorders be it skin, respiratory or

digestive--food inolernaces.Â And many ASD kids also have

apraxia.

I read an article which puts it at 40% but they are not diagnosed as apraxic

because everyone focuses on their most disturbing symptoms --the repetative

motions -stimming--and the missing social components so speech is just another

facet--they are given group speech therapy to help them interact-=-when in fact

many of them have speech motor planning difficulties and no amount of group

therpay will help that.

To me the actual diagnosis matters less--it matters for therapy of course--but

that is precisely why the symptoms should be addressed--not just the

" diagnosis " --if an ASD child has apraxia--his apraxia shoudl be treated as

well--if an apraxic child also has the so called " neurological soft signs " --toe

walking, low tone, sensory issues--those too should be treated and diagnosed as

such in order to be treated--and get covered by insurance--otherwise this facet

of their neurological damage will remain untreated and create difficutlies as

the

child grows--the sensory issues can put them into an unwaranted ASD diagnosis

later when they scream and cover their ears every time a truck goes by or they

are in a loud environemt or can't take visual overstimulation and get hyper--tha

tis when the drugs ar epulled out unfortunatley--and that makes

everything--toned down--but doesn't affect the underlying cause of their

disorder--that progresses and remains and the drugs do their numberÂ on the

child's metabolic, immune and neurological fucntioning as well--but that's a

different topic.

The point is ---A lot of ADHD/ADD kids have visual or auditory langauge

processing problems that can make them hyper and overstimulate their brain--or

drain them out as they try to make it through a busy day at school----and they

too can be misdiagnosed as being on the spectrum--particularly if they also have

speech issues--again--which my daughter has--so we could have landed an ASD

diagnosis many times and the neurologist almost begged me to take it--even

though he wasn't convinced one way or another--but said she woudl get more

services--I refused because more services does NOT mean better services--if they

are NOT appropriate for her needs. he reluctantly agreed with that--but

definately i cna see that doctor erring on the side of overdiagnosing ASD--and

ther emay e others like him--- and ther emay be others who are really keen on an

MR diagnosis--and parents fight it--but I recently learned from one of those

aprents that the doctor confessed that he

felt the kids needed that to be covered in adulthood for services and

support--without an MR diagnsois the severly autistic--or even moderately

autistic who could alwyas get worse--are left without any support when they turn

21. Many states do not recognize autism as a disability that entitles the

individuals to support and care beyond age 21 and that means the full burden is

on the aprents--who may not always be there.Â Sad but true--this doctor was

trying to help--and work with the system--but these cases could not ahve been

anythign else--it was just the MR-label that she felt was critical for these

lower functioning kids to ge ttheir needs met beyond age 21-- and she explained

that the label can be overlooked--as the child progresses--but cna be pulled out

as needed late ron.

Again--most parents hate to think of their ASD but apparently smart child as

being diagnosed MR--when clearly if you took away the stimming and the

behavioral problems that child can be as smart as whip---but in terms of

functioning in society-they may still not be able to make it--and the laws are

pretty unkind at this point in time--though they will hopefully change.

So parents always ahve to make decisions like that when they are dealing with

their child's diagnosis-BUT--the rise cannot be denied and balmed exclusively on

that--because regardless of actual diagnsois--ASD or not--they are damaged

neurologically and are on the neurological disorders continuum---which is real

and rising. So yes there is misdiagnosis for various reasons--but if you add all

of these together--all the 1 in 6 children who accordng to the public schools

records have a learnign dissability and---believe me--I know how hard it is to

get such a label in the public school system because my daughter is most likely

dyslexic on top of apraxic and they will not conceed to thatÂ until after 4-5th

grade or so whe they will not longer be able to deny it--and of course the best

window of intervention woudl ahve been missed and her self esteem and love of

learnign and reading compromised etc --if I left it up to them--so if they say 1

in 6 kids had a

learnign disability--believe me it's more like one in 4-5 and this is not

accounting for the privately schooled or home schooled kids.Â and no it isn't

due to ESL issues either--they jsut offer speech for that--the learnign

disability label is very real--very worrisome--more and more kids ahve these

learning problems and this too is neurological damage.Â

So you still have more cases of neurological damage--no mater what diagnosis you

look at--ASD-ADHD-apraxia or learning disabilities, not to mention a growing

number of children suffer from anxiety and depression and OCD--etc.. Auditory

Processing-Dyslexia etc etc-all these amount to neurological damage

and have been linked to metabolic components and environmental toxicity----and

yes--there is that genetic component--but in order for a gene to be expresed--we

need environmentla triggers--that must NOT be overlloked.Â The genes have

always been there--the environment has't--so yes some families are more affected

due to their genes---but it is the environnmental triggers that led those genes

to be expressed and the disease to manifest itself--and again environmental

factors (diet/supplemnts/avoidence of toxic exposure etc) that can determine

recovery or progression of the damage.

So there is really a neurological disorder continuum that we are looking at

--that is growing--affecting the most vulnerable populations----the very young

--whose brains are still developing---and the old--who've accumulated more

toxins and are more vulnerable.

So it doesn't matter is ASD is overdiagnosed at all. Neurological developmental

disorders are growing

at an allarming rate and that cannot be denied no matter how you look at it.

To me the vaccines are NOT the only sources of toxicity and immune impairement

--unfortunately there is so much more tha tis toxic in our environment---and in

our bodies even--the mother's body--like the number of her dental amalgam

fillings which is 50% mercury. Top that off with a course of antibiotics at

birth and then the usual routine shots and between the toxic ingredients and

just the assault on the newborn's immune system--a whole lot of things could be

happening beyod just the thimersol.Â

let's not forget that over 80% of our immune su=ystem is in the gut. That

intestinal permeability happens at various levels and that this permeability

compromises absorption and stimulates antibodies against the foods that enter

the blood stream in larger particles than they normally do. this is turn trigger

genetic cchanges and so it is way more complex than we

could ever research unelss our methodology is adapted to look at multiple

factors that afect immune and neurological functioning at various levels.

it is undeniable that ASD- kids in particular--but my apraxic only daughter

included have metabolic processing problems with or without direct digestive

manifestations.Â We actually had none--but doing biomed routine

investigations--blood/urine/fecal testing---we learned that she was intolernat

to gluten and casein among other things---though no immediate allergic reaction

was noted when doing the skin test yet her gluten response and casein IgG

response was abnormal as are her skin autoimmune issues and her neurological

damage--her behaviors when on gluten /casein.Â So in spite of NOT being a

celiac or having overt digestive problems she was neverhteless malabsorbing

vital brain nutrients--was deficient in B12 and fatty aicds, vitamin D, E, Bs

and Co Q10--among others. This is also very

common in many ASd kids--as it is in many Alzheimer's patients--who also show

neurological and immune damage as well as faulty metabolic processing.

These investigations shoudl be routine in all patients showing neurological

damage of unknown etiology--meaning not hit in the head--no external source of

damage.Â i think what would be found is what research is increasingly

showing--that the gut /brain connection is HUGE and cannot be denied. Our kids

have varoiosu metabolic abnormalities and various degrees of brain damage

--inflamation is brain damage and apraxia is brain damae-even if the brain is

plastic and new paths are developed---and progress is seen with therapy--but no

way near what progress can be seen with apropriate metabolic/biomed

interventions.

dr. Wakefield's study looked at one small piece--but it happened to be the msot

controversial, which is why he is being cricified and he and his colleagiues and

their research dragged

through the mud.

We have to understand that it really goes way beyond just vaccines and beyond

ASD--we are living in an increasingly toxic environment affecting--food, air,

water--medications/cleaning agents, cosmetics etc etc-----and as a result vital

metabolic enzymatic processes are interfered with---we are malabsorbing vital

nutrients both at gut and cellular levels and this affects us directly and

indirectly--opening the flood gates to opportunistic infections--viruses,

bacteria, parasites which further damage our normal development and functioning.

So no, Diane, all this is not just becuase we're much more aware of the

problems--it is happening because we live in an increasingly toxic environment

in many ways--beyond just vaccines--but vaccines are a major source of toxicity

for individuals with certain susceptibilities--triggered by toxicity in the

environment of their parents and grandparents really. Toxic parents beget toxic

children and the effects of toxicity is cummulative and synergistic--hence the

variability we are seeing--no two kids respond to the exat same protocol--they

all have slightly different issues and different metbolic needs even if the

symptoms seem to be very similar.

Anyway-this is a very complex topic--but No, sadly it is not just becuase we are

better at identifying these disorders---ask most ASD parents if they feel theiir

child's disorder would have been considered soemething normal in the past--and

they'll set you straight about what their daily life is like.Â Yes we do have

better diagnosis criteria--but that's because we now are delaing with an

epidemic of gigantic proportions affecting one in 68 boys in states like CA, NJ,

MN.Â It is 4 boys to every girl so this is why when you adjust for the girls

you get somethign different than the 1 in one 100 which in itself is HUGE for

the US as a whole.Â Remember 30-40 years ago it

ws one in 10,000Â and OK--it may have been 1 in 8,000 because the high

functioning Aspies were missed---but that still does not and cannot explain the

HUGE rise in this neurological afliction--which is most definately NOT just of

the brain--but of the whole body--of the metabolic processing and immune

functioning.

No, sadly it is not just do to better diagnosis...it is due to greater

environmental toxicity. see articles posted at the end.

All the best,

Elena

Child Autism Epidemic Firmly

Linked to Environment

Autism among U.S. children has reached epidemic proportion. And

it's getting worse by the year.

Since the '70's, there has been a 60-fold increase in American

children with autism. Currently one in every 100 U.S. children and one

in every 58 boys are being diagnosed with autism. That's over 2.6

percent of all male children in America. The number of autistic

children expected to reach adulthood in the next 10 years along with

their caregivers will exceed the population of Rhode Island and cost an

estimated $27 billion in additional care beyond the almost $60 billion

being spent on current autism-related costs. (1,2)

Under the specter of an autism epidemic sweeping America, Senator

Barbara Boxer (CA) convened hearings last week on the " State of Research

on Potential Environmental Health Factors with Autism. " (3)

The result?

Experts agree that the primary explanation for the dramatic increase

in autism is toxic environmental exposure and gene-environment

interactions. New research shows that even low-dose, multiple

toxic and infectious exposures may be a key factor to the onset of

autism.

One expert, Dr. Birnbaum, Director of the National Institute of

Environmental Health, testified that " Research supported by NIEH has

clearly shown that it is not just genetics that causes

neuro-developmental disorders such as autism but rather the interplay of

both genes and the environment " .

Dr. Birnbaum also stated that NIEH has uncovered information on the

role that early environmental exposures play in the development of a

broad spectrum of childhood disorders, including not only autism but

also ADHD, and other learning disorders.

Another expert, Dr. Anastas, the U.S.Environmental Protection

Agency's assistant administrator, told the subcommittee that children

are especially susceptible to the effects of chemicals in the

environment because they eat, drink and breathe in more for their body

weight than adults. They absorb a greater proportion of many chemicals

in the environment than adults, and due to hand to mouth behaviors,

young children tend to have higher exposures to contaminants, such as

pollutants in the surrounding air and dust, deposited from lead paint,

tobacco smoke, cleaning products, pesticides and other chemicals. (4,5)

We already know that prenatal and early childhood exposures to chemicals

such as methyl mercury (commonly found in fish and some vaccines), lead

(in paints), PCBs (in plastics such as baby bottles and food storage

containers) and arsenic (in the air) can affect development of the

nervous system and lead to developmental disability. (6,7,8)

Also, the developing brain and nervous system can be disrupted by much

lower levels of environmental exposures than would affect adults.

(9,10,11) You can read about the current levels of exposure in the just

released CDC's

National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, a

frightening document.

Dr. Isaac Pessah, Director of the UC Center for Children's

Environmental Health, testified that many of the molecular and cellular

systems associated with autism are the same ones that are the target of

environmental chemicals currently of concern to human health because of

their widespread use. He spoke of a critical need to identify which

chemicals in the environment influence the same biological pathways that

are effected in autism. Dr. Pessah said that limiting exposure

to these chemicals is the only way to mitigate or prevent autism in

susceptible individuals.

Increasingly, evidence links even chronic, low-level exposure to

industrial pollutants to many of the most prevalent and disabling

learning and behavioral problems in children.

Professor Bruce Lanphear Ph.D, of the Child & Family Research

Institute, Simon Fraser University, reported that some of the most

widely dispersed environmental toxicants, even at very low levels are

risk factors for the " new morbidities " of childhood -- both intellectual

and behavioral impairments such as autism. Indeed, there is often no

apparent threshold -- in some cases the effects appear to be greater at

the lowest levels of exposure. (12) Emerging evidence shows that a

whole host of new environmental chemicals such as Bisphenol A, (the

protective inner lining in tin cans and baby bottles) PBDEs, pesticides,

phthalates and airborne pollutants are all associated with intellectual

deficits or behavioral problems in children. (13,14,15)

Just prior to the Senate hearing, several important research papers

were published that further documented the relationship between

environmental toxins and autism:

â€¢ A study in India correlated the increased body burdens of

lead and mercury with the severity of children's autism -- the more

severe the autism, the higher concentrations of heavy metals were found

in their bodies. (16)

â€¢ An exhaustive scientific literature search just completed in August

shows that the link between autism and toxic exposures in infants is

supported by current published research. (17)

My own recent study of a large autistic clinical database shows that

children with autism had elevated levels in their bodies of several

chemicals known to be neurotoxic. The children have genetic variations,

which interfere with the proper detoxification of those chemicals. With

over 2,000 patients in the database, my paper is one of the largest

studies to show that environmental factors interacting with associated

genetic components may be contributing to the causation of autism.

Development of the human nervous system begins in the womb and

extends throughout childhood. During these periods of rapid development,

the brain is vulnerable to some environmental exposures, which may have

the potential to disrupt the chemical signals that organize

development. Even small changes can have potentially major consequences

for brain structure and function. Thus, even brief adverse exposure at

these vulnerable stages can have lasting effects on brain function

throughout life.

My report showed on average the amount of lead and mercury in the

children's blood was 50 percent higher than normal. Their genetic

changes (SNPs) were related to what is called Phase I and Phase II

detoxification -- specifically the CYP and GST family of genes. This

defect reduced the children's ability to remove excess toxins from their

bodies.

These autistic children also had a several fold higher level of bad

gut bacteria and reduced levels of beneficial gut bacteria. Bad gut

bacteria can produce neurotoxic amines and cause a " leaky gut " which

allows toxic substances to more easily enter the circulatory system (see

my previous Huffington Post entry " The Keys to Maintaining a

Healthy Gut " ).

You may read the full clinical study here:

http://personalizedmedicine.posterous.com/environmental-factors-contributing-to-\

the-ons#

We as a society have a toxic chemical addiction, which we need to

kick now. We need to be better informed consumers -- choosing chemically

free foods, products and environments, affecting change with our

wallets.

Here are some Toxic Exposure Avoidance Tips for All of Us -- And

Especially For Pregnant Women. Start taking them, right now:

Avoid eating foods that may contain high levels of

toxic chemicals While fish are a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids,

some contain high levels of mercury. Tuna, Cod and Mahi Mahi are ones to

avoid. Wild salmon is a good healthy choice.Consume organic foods and drinks as

much as possible.Use glass containers instead of plastic to store left over

foods and

drinks.Reduce our purchase of foods in cans as the can lining contains high

levels of Bisphenol A (an endocrine disrupter linked to increased rates

of cancer and abnormal behavior in children).Limit exposure to toxic household

chemicals, pesticides and cleaning

supplies. Look for natural alternatives.Install HEPA and carbon filter air

purifiers in bedrooms to insure a

healthy toxin free nights rest.

Exposure to toxic chemicals by pregnant women, fetuses and children

has a high probability of causing autism and other neuro-developmental

disorders and learning disabilities in those whose genetic profile

expresses in a reduced ability to detoxify these chemicals. This is not

" fringe " science; it's fact.

The time for action is now. We must reduce our exposure to toxic

chemicals for ourselves, for our children's sake and for future

generations.

We have a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect

themselves. We cannot afford to be incurious, indifferent or uninformed

when the price of inattention is disability and heartache -- an

overwhelming emotional and financial burden to families and society.

Ask for help: Tell your government that we must lessen our exposure

to these chemicals. For the future of all Americans. Email or call your

own representatives. Senator Boxer can be reached at:

senator@....

Please share your thoughts by adding a comment below.

In good health,

References

(1) Autism Society of America (ASA). 2003. Facts and statistics.

Available: www.autism-society.org/

(2) Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfate. 2005 PA Autism Census

Project: Final Report; Oct 2009

(3) US Senate Subcommittee on Environment and Public Works. Aug 2010

(4) National Research Council. 1993. Pesticides in the Diets of Infants

and Children. National Academy of Sciences Press, Washington, DC.

(5) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2005 Guidance on

selecting age groups for monitoring and assessing childhood exposures to

environmental contaminants. National Center for Environmental

Assessment, Washington, DC; EPA/630/P-03/003F

(6) Wasserman GA, Liu X, Parvez F, Ahsan H, Factor-Litvak P, Kline J,

van Geen A, Slavkovich V, Loiacono NJ, Levy D, Cheng Z, Graziano JH.

2007. Water arsenic exposure and intellectual function in 6-year-old

children in Araihazar, Bangladesh. Environ Health Perspect. 115(2):285-9

(7) Landrigan PJ, Whitworth RH, Baloh RW, Barthel WF, Staehling NW,

Rosenblum BF. 1975. Neuropsychological dysfunction in children with

chronic low-level lead absorption. Lancet 1:708-712

(8) Rogan WJ, Ware JH. 2003. Exposure to lead in children - how low is

low enough? N Engl J Med. 348:1515-1516

(9)(ATSDR). 2007. Toxicological profile for Lead. Atlanta, GA: U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp13-c3.pdf

(10) Grandjean P, and Landrigan PJ. 2006. Developmental neurotoxicity

of industrial chemicals. Lancet.;368(9553):2167-78.

(11) Jett DA, Kuhlmann AC, Farmer SJ, Guilarte TR.1997. Age-dependent

effects of developmental lead exposure on performance in the

water maze. Pharmacol Biochem Behav.57(1-2):271-9

(12) Canfield RL, CR, Cory-Slechta DA, C, Jusko TA,

Lanphear BP. Intellectual impairment in children with blood lead

concentrations below 10 micrograms per deciliter. N Engl J Med

2003;348:1517-1526

(13) Eskenazi B, Marks AR, Bradman A, et al. Organophosphate pesticide

exposure and neurodevelopment in young Mexican-American children.

Environ Health Perspect 2007;115:792-798

(14) Herbstman JB, SjÃ¶din A, Kurzon M, et al. Prenatal exposure to PBDEs

and neuro-development. Environ Health Perspect 2010;118:712-719

(15) Braun JM, Froehlich TE, s JL, et al. Association of

environmental toxicants and conduct disorder in U.S. children: NHANES

2001-2004. Environ Health Perspect 2008;116:956-962

(16) Priya MD. Level of Trace Elements (Copper, Zinc, Magnesium

and Selenium) and Toxic Elements (Lead and Mercury)

in the Hair and Nail of Children with Autism. Biol Trace Elem Res

DOI 10.1007/s12011-010-8766-2

(17) DeSoto MC. Sorting out the spinning of autism: heavy metals and the

question of incidence. Acta Neurobiol Exp 2010, 70: 165-176

*********************************************************

And OK--let's say Wakefield did somethign or other and his research is

flawed----Ther esi so much more research pointing to the fact that

soemthing--SOMETHING is affecting these kids's mitochondria and it's NOT

affecting every kid--but those who are affected sufer neurological damage with

various impairments--very much like ASD---regardless of what diagnosis the child

ultimately gets.

So, we can now call Dr. Wakefield a quack--but let's see---how long before the

UC team is called into question, and they lose their funding unless they

retreact their conclusions and make up soem imaginary factor that woudl show

that we all have mitochondrial dysfunction anyway--or that they were wrong and

there is no such thing-or what ever.... this was previously posted on this list

as are many other articles we cannot ignore-which makes Dr. Wakefild's

defamation even more laughable--or sad--depending on how you look at it--but it

doe spoint to the fact that the Pharmaceutical industry must be getting

desperate and losing profits based on all this research that implicates toxicity

in their findings--whether they state it outright or not. Dr. Wakefield didn't

even mention vaccines--but the measles virus found was the vacine virus--he

couldn't call it soemthign else--he's a scientist and had to report the

facts--and no this was not a controlled

doubel blind etc-study--it was a small case study--and chances are he did

nothign worng but chose the wrong topic to study,

Here's another team of unfortunate scientists who may soon regret their findings

if we let Dr. Wakefield be discredited and dealt with in this way. Yes-there

isn't much other than toxicity that can cause such mitochondrial damage--and

while granted toxicity can be from various sources--let's not forget the Hanah

Polling case and the most obvious toxic encounters for infants and young

children:Â And YES--the CDC admited that Hanah had a mitochondrial disorder

that was exacerbated by the vaccines-but tht it is oh so rare---maybe not...

Public release date: 30-Nov-2010

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Contact: Phyllis Brown

phyllis.brown@...

916-752-2768

University of California - Health System

UC study finds children with autism have mitochondrial dysfunction

(CHICAGO) -- Children with autism are far more likely to have

deficits in their ability to produce cellular energy than are typically

developing children, a new study by researchers at UC has found.

The study, published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association

(JAMA), found that cumulative damage and oxidative stress in

mitochondria, the cell's energy producer, could influence both the onset

and severity of autism, suggesting a strong link between autism and

mitochondrial defects.

After the heart, the brain is the most voracious consumer of energy

in the body. The authors propose that deficiencies in the ability to

fuel brain neurons might lead to some of the cognitive impairments

associated with autism. Mitochondria are the primary source of energy

production in cells and carry their own set of genetic instructions,

mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), to carry out aerobic respiration. Dysfunction

in mitochondria already is associated with a number of other

neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's

disease, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

" Children with mitochondrial diseases may present exercise

intolerance, seizures and cognitive decline, among other conditions.

Some will manifest disease symptoms and some will appear as sporadic

cases, " said Cecilia Giulivi, the study's lead author and professor in

the Department of Molecular Biosciences in the School of Veterinary

Medicine at UC . " Many of these characteristics are shared by

children with autism. "

The researchers stress that these new findings, which may help

physicians provide early diagnoses, do not identify the cause or the

effects of autism, which affects as many as 1 in every 110 children in

the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention.

While previous studies have revealed hints of a connection between

autism and mitochondrial dysfunction, these reports have been either

anecdotal or involved tissues that might not be representative of neural

metabolism.

" It is remarkable that evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction and

changes in mitochondrial DNA were detected in the blood of these young

children with autism, " said Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer of

Autism Speaks, which provided funding for the study. " One of the

challenges has been that it has been difficult to diagnose mitochondrial

dysfunction because it usually requires a muscle biopsy. If we could

screen for these metabolic problems with a blood test, it would be a big

step forward. "

For the study, Giulivi and her colleagues recruited 10 autistic

children aged 2 to 5, and 10 age-matched typically developing children

from similar backgrounds. The children were randomly selected from

Northern California subjects who previously had participated in the

1,600-participant Childhood Autism Risk from Genetics and the

Environment (CHARGE) Study and who also consented to return for a

subsequent study known as CHARGE-BACK, conducted by the UC Center

for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention.

The children with autism met stringent diagnostic criteria for

autism as defined by the two most widely used and rigorous assessment

tools. Though the total number of children studied was small, it is

generally representative of the much larger CHARGE cohort, and that

increases the significance of the study results, the authors said.

The researchers obtained blood samples from each child and analyzed

the metabolic pathways of mitochondria in immune cells called

lymphocytes. Previous studies sampled mitochondria obtained from muscle,

but the mitochondrial dysfunction sometimes is not expressed in muscle.

Muscle cells can generate much of their energy through anaerobic

glycolysis, which does not involve mitochondria. By contrast,

lymphocytes, and to a greater extent brain neurons, rely more heavily on

the aerobic respiration conducted by mitochondria.

The researchers found that mitochondria from children with autism

consumed far less oxygen than mitochondria from the group of control

children, a sign of lowered mitochondrial activity. For example, the

oxygen consumption of one critical mitochondrial enzyme complex, NADH

oxidase, in autistic children was only a third of that found in control

children.

" A 66 percent decrease is significant, " Giulivi said. " When these

levels are lower, you have less capability to produce ATP (adenosine

triphosphate) to pay for cellular work. Even if this decrease is

considered moderate, deficits in mitochondrial energy output do not have

to be dismissed, for they could be exacerbated or evidenced during the

perinatal period but appear subclinical in the adult years. "

Reduced mitochondrial enzyme function proved widespread among the

autistic children. Eighty percent had lowered activity in NADH oxidase

than did controls, while 60 percent, 40 percent and 30 percent had low

activity in succinate oxidase, ATPase and cytochrome c oxidase,

respectively. The researchers went on to isolate the origins of these

defects by assessing the activity of each of the five enzyme complexes

involved in mitochondrial respiration. Complex I was the site of the

most common deficiency, found in 60 percent of autistic subjects, and

occurred five out of six times in combination with Complex V. Other

children had problems in Complexes III and IV.

Levels of pyruvate, the raw material mitochondria transform into

cellular energy, also were elevated in the blood plasma of autistic

children. This suggests the mitochondria of children with autism are

unable to process pyruvate fast enough to keep up with the demand for

energy, pointing to a novel deficiency at the level of an enzyme named

pyruvate dehydrogenase.

Mitochondria also are the main intracellular source of oxygen free

radicals. Free radicals are very reactive species that can harm cellular

structures, including DNA. Cells are able to repair typical levels of

such oxidative damage. Giulivi and her colleagues found that hydrogen

peroxide levels in autistic children were twice as high as in normal

children. As a result, the cells of children with autism were exposed to

higher oxidative stress.

Mitochondria often respond to oxidative stress by making extra copies of

their own DNA. The strategy helps ensure that some normal genes are

present even if others have been damaged by oxidation. The researchers

found higher mtDNA copy numbers in the lymphocytes of half of the

children with autism. These children carried equally high numbers of

mtDNA sets in their granulocytes, another type of immune cell,

demonstrating that these effects were not limited to a specific cell

type. Two of the five children also had deletions in their mtDNA genes,

whereas none of the control children showed deletions.

Taken together, the various abnormalities, defects and levels of

malfunction measured in the mitochondria of autistic children imply that

oxidative stress in these organelles could be influencing autism's

onset.

" The various dysfunctions we measured are probably even more extreme

in brain cells, which rely exclusively on mitochondria for energy, "

said Isaac Pessah, director of the Center for Children's Environmental

Health and Disease Prevention, a UC MIND Institute researcher and

professor of molecular biosciences at the UC School of Veterinary

Medicine.

Giulivi cautions that these findings do not amount to establishing a cause for

autism.

" We took a snapshot of the mitochondrial dysfunction when the

children were 2-to-5 years old. Whether this happened before they were

born or after, this study can't tell us, " she said. " However, the

research furthers the understanding of autism on several fronts and may,

if replicated, be used to help physicians diagnose the problem

earlier. "

" Pediatricians need to be aware of this issue so that they can ask

the right questions to determine whether children with autism have

vision or hearing problems or myopathies, " Giulivi said. Exercise

intolerance in the form of muscle cramps during intensive physical

activity is one of the characteristics of mitochondrial myopathies.

The chemical fingerprints of mitochondrial dysfunction also may hold

potential as a diagnostic tool. Giulivi and colleagues are now

examining the mitochondrial DNA of their subjects more closely to

pinpoint more precise differences between autistic and non-autistic

children.

" If we find some kind of blood marker that is consistent with and

unique to children with autism, maybe we can change the way we diagnose

this difficult-to-assess condition, " she said.

The study also helps refine the search for autism's origins.

" The real challenge now is to try and understand the role of

mitochondrial dysfunction in children with autism, " Pessah said. " For

instance, many environmental stressors can cause mitochondrial damage.

Depending on when a child was exposed, maternally or neonatally, and how

severe that exposure was, it might explain the range of the symptoms of

autism. "

" This important exploratory research addresses in a rigorous way an

emerging hypothesis about potential mitochondrial dysfunction and

autism, " said Lawler, program director at the National Institute

of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), which provided funding for the

study. " Additional research in this area could ultimately lead to

prevention or intervention efforts for this serious developmental

disorder. "

###Other study authors

include Yi-Fan Zhang, Alicja Omanska-Klusek, Ross-Inta,

Wong, Irva Hertz-Picciotto and Flora Tassone of UC .

Funding for the study was provided by a UC MIND Institute Pilot

Research Grant, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

(NIEHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Autism Speaks,

including an Environmental Innovator Award from Autism Speaks.

The UC MIND Institute in Sacramento, CA, was founded in 1998

as a unique interdisciplinary research center where parents, community

leaders, researchers, clinicians and volunteers work together toward a

common goal: researching causes, treatments and eventual preventions and

cures for neurodevelopmental disorders. The institute has major

research efforts in autism, Tourette syndrome, fragile X syndrome,

chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and attention-deficit/hyperactivity

disorder (ADHD). More information about the institute including

previous presentations in its Distinguished Lecturer Series, is

available on the Web at http://mindinstitute.ucdavis.edu/.

January 13, 2011

I actually am shocked that the argument remains that all of the children being

diagnosed today are just due to more awareness. Years ago I was sent through

the US Department of Education report books that covered the Nation's

classification stats for special education over about a ten year period and I

checked the numbers of those children classified across the board and most

categories dramatically increased outside of MR (except for some reason in NC

from what I recall) and visual and hearing impairments remained about the same.

I was focused on MR because the argument would be those children that used to

fall under that classification may not be falling into the autism classification

-but the numbers no way supported that theory -and that was super clear for

anyone to see.

It's difficult to get a very accurate mapping of exactly what is going on as far

as diagnosis because unlike autism which gets it's own classification now, in

each state the classifications are not exactly the same for just about any other

impairment....even ADHD doesn't have it's own classification...but yes clearly

the increase was beyond huge for speech and language or speech or language or

communication impaired (called so many things!) and the increase in

developmentally disabled or general like classifications there was a tremendous

increase as well. I have quotes of some of the the actual numbers in the

archives here when I looked at it -but at this point that was years ago. Point

being if I was able to look at the classifications over a decade it's there for

anyone to clearly see.

Also the point regarding genetic...undoubtedly there are genetic components in

many cases, but clearly the rise is NOT from genetics alone! It is well

documented that environmental aspects can affect genetics, so clearly what is

going on to me anyway is a combination of either or both environmental and

nutritional that is triggering genetic predispositions.

All of us went to school I would suppose, and how many of you recall any friend

that had to go to speech therapy? (insert cricket sound here) I mean kids just

talked -or they were quiet -but that was the VERY rare exception...and probably

none of us recall if that lone silent child could talk and just didn't or

couldn't talk...do you?

Now you can go block to block in certain areas such as in NJ or Ohio for just

2 examples and find kids with multifaceted aspects to a communication

impairment. I don't care if dad's cousin was fanatic about lining up all his

toys... adults that grow up with quirks are not undiagnosed autistic adults! I

mean nobody is perfect we all have quirks..and to think you don't have any means

you are now aware of your own.

To not notice the increase or to think that we have adults walking around that

are the same as all the kids today is illogical for one main reason....we KNOW

the adults didn't receive any services that are appropriate and we know from the

children today that without appropriate services these children do not function

well and fall far behind their peers. So if Uncle Walt who is all fanatic about

stuff in his office being lined up still is now VP of a bank....no he's not like

his nephew who was just diagnosed with autism. To me there is a rise in

whatever you want to call it -and no I don't believe it's classic autism think

it's just called that because that's where all the monies are...but I don't

think the apraxia we have today is the same as years ago either. To me the fact

there is a rise in multifaceted communication impairments whatever you want to

call them.... that is clear.

And speaking of environmental issues...nobody here commented on the blog I wrote

-but clearly I outline the increase, environmental toxins- and give many

credible examples. Did you guys take the time to read what went on where I used

to live in NJ????

http://pursuitofresearch.org/2011/01/09/dr-wakefield-attacked-potentially-causin\

g-thousands-of-birds-to-die/

And about environmental toxins

http://pursuitofresearch.org/2011/01/09/a-tale-of-dead-birds-and-black-ooze-in-n\

j/

and my original blog on this

http://www.cherab.org/news/Save.html

And a final PS...and I'll just throw this out here..in general I do not believe

the kids today are presenting quite as severe as the kids diagnosed with either

apraxia or autism back when my son Tanner was first diagnosed. Today you hear

about kids that are talking at 2 but " only " saying a few words...I do believe

that removing the thimerosal was a great thing because while I don't believe

they are the main cause of the rise -I believe the thimerosal in many cases -my

son probably included, was the final straw.

=====

January 14, 2011

Hi,

It's been a busy couple of days, but have read responses to my post. Have to

keep moving so I'll be quick. :-)

- I also don't think increased awareness is the sole reason for an increase in

diagnosis. Just that it may account for part of it.

- Also, I agree that it's difficult to figure out what's creating the increase

because it's most likely more than one thing. Add in different diagnostic

criteria depending on geographical area, plus the possibility that

diagnostically we are categorizing what could be either multiple disorders with

very similar constellations of symptoms or one disorder/constellation of

sypmtoms with multiple causes and it makes it difficult right now to see the

picture clearly.

On the flip side, I have seen a few adults in my practice with

depression/anxiety that have undiagnosed dyspraxia/sensory processing issues

that have always been there but were not diagnosed or treated 15-20 years ago.

It's been quite interesting to see how it plays out without treatment, what

challenges come up for people and how they compensate. I've ended up consulting

with my kid's OT a few times regarding clients. There is an increased incidence

of anxiety/depression in people with dyspraxia and sensory processing issues,

and I can certainly see how this could manifest when it goes untreated.

Could say more, but gotta go!

Diane

>

> I actually am shocked that the argument remains that all of the children being