CBS: Vaccines and autism: a new scientific review

[Guest guest]

CBS news story about a study just out.

Study citation and another related journal article, both are at the end. Sorry

about the formatting ~ if you are receiving this in a Digest, click " Messages in

this Topic " to view at the site.

Vaccines and autism: a new scientific review

by CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson.For all those who've

declared the autism-vaccine debate over - a new scientific review begs to

differ. It considers a host of peer-reviewed, published theories that show

possible connections between vaccines and autism.

The article in the Journal of Immunotoxicology is entitled " Theoretical aspects

of autism: Causes--A review. "

The author is Helen Ratajczak, surprisingly herself a former senior scientist at

a pharmaceutical firm. Ratajczak did what nobody else apparently has bothered to

do: she reviewed the body of published science since autism was first described

in 1943. Not just one theory suggested by research such as the role of MMR

shots, or the mercury preservative thimerosal; but all of them.

Ratajczak's article states, in part, that " Documented causes of autism include

genetic mutations and/or deletions, viral infections, and encephalitis [brain

damage] following vaccination [emphasis added]. Therefore, autism is the result

of genetic defects and/or inflammation of the brain. "

The article goes on to discuss many potential vaccine-related culprits,

including the increasing number of vaccines given in a short period of time.

" What I have published is highly concentrated on hypersensitivity, Ratajczak

told us in an interview, " the body's immune system being thrown out of balance. "

University of Pennsylvania's Dr. Strom, who has served on Institute of

Medicine panels advising the government on vaccine safety says the prevailing

medical opinion is that vaccines are scientifically linked to encephalopathy

(brain damage), but not scientifically linked to autism. As for Ratajczak's

review, he told us he doesn't find it remarkable. " This is a review of theories.

Science is based on facts. To draw conclusions on effects of an exposure on

people, you need data on people. The data on people do not support that there is

a relationship. As such, any speculation about an explanation for a

(non-existing) relationship is irrelevant. "

Helen Ratajczak, author " Theoretical aspects of autism: Causes--A review. "

Why could human DNA potentially cause brain damage? The way Ratajczak explained

it to me: " Because it's human DNA and recipients are humans, there's homologous

recombinaltion tiniker. That DNA is incorporated into the host DNA. Now it's

changed, altered self and body kills it. Where is this most expressed? The

neurons of the brain. Now you have body killing the brain cells and it's an

ongoing inflammation. It doesn't stop, it continues through the life of that

individual. "

Dr. Strom said he was unaware that human DNA was contained in vaccines but told

us, " It does not matter...Even if human DNA were then found in vaccines, it does

not mean that they cause autism. " Ratajczak agrees that nobody has proven DNA

causes autism; but argues nobody has shown the opposite, and scientifically, the

case is still open.

A number of independent scientists have said they've been subjected to

orchestrated campaigns to discredit them when their research exposed vaccine

safety issues, especially if it veered into the topic of autism. We asked

Ratajczak how she came to research the controversial topic. She told us that for

years while working in the pharmaceutical industry, she was restricted as to

what she was allowed to publish. " I'm retired now, " she told CBS News. " I can

write what I want. "

We wanted to see if the CDC wished to challenge Ratajczak's review, since many

government officials and scientists have implied that theories linking vaccines

to autism have been disproven, and Ratajczak states that research shows

otherwise. CDC officials told us that " comprehensive review by CDC...would take

quite a bit of time. " In the meantime, CDC provided [some web] links.

view article online here

<http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20049118-10391695.html>

the Study citation:

Ratajczak HV

Theoretical aspects of autism: Causes- A review.

J Immunotoxicol 2011 Jan-Mar; 8(1):68-79.

and her article in the same journal issue about Biomarkers of autism

Ratajczak HV

Theoretical aspects of autism: Biomarkers- a review

J Immunotoxicol 2011 Jan-Mar; 8(1):80-94.

Liora here again. I like her comments about retirement. Makes sense in today's

research climate. It's telling that it takes a retired person to write

something so bold. A young researcher might very well never get a federally

funded grant again. Whoosh. Career over. Bernice Eddy 'd (SV40 researcher).

Phyllis Mullenix 'd (Fluoride researcher). Is that the way science should be?

How did we get to such a place of corporate science, dishonesty, and political

retribution for asking questions??