It has been, and continues to be, a long legal process regarding lawsuits and claims filed about autism and other medical issues that are tied to purported hazards of toxic chemicals in vaccinations. Despite denial by vaccine manufacturers and many in the conventional medical community, thousands of families have experienced autism and other neurological symptoms that have occurred in their otherwise healthy children after they were vaccinated. The article below updates the latest legal actions, specifically dealing with autism cases linked to the use of thimerosal, a mercury-laced preservative used in many vaccines.
It is important to follow the progress in these proceedings, because ultimately we want to see the truth prevail and justice to be served. In addition, this article points out a critical issue that many people may be misinformed about. Most accounts in the media that I have read make it sound like thimerosal is no longer used in vaccines administered in this country. This is, unfortunately, simply not true. The purpose of thimerosal is to allow bulk doses of a vaccine to be produced and used for multiple injections, thus acting as a cost-saving measure. So unless a child is exposed to single-dose vaccinations, there is a very good chance that thimerosal is still included in the formula. There are many reasons besides thimerosal to avoid vaccines, but to allow the impression that the use of thimerosal has been discontinued is highly unethical.
And another thing about mercury that is less known:
Mercury is a Spermicide.
Lubricated condoms and birth control creams or gels contain mercury as the primary spermicide. It is not required that the word mercury appear on the label, as it is assumed that everyone knows mercury is in there. The uterus is a collection center for mercury. Hal Huggins reported that more than 90% of the imbalances, created by sex hormone disturbances were corrected within a few weeks of amalgam removal. His patients noted differences in fertility, less pain during periods, relief from endometriosis, and a trend toward optimization of the days of menstrual flow. PMS is one of the most common symptoms to change after amalgam removal. Amenorrhea, or the complete absence of a menstrual flow, responds to amalgam removal. This is usually in women in their twenties or thirties. Even in women who have gone through a sort of premature menopause in their early forties, the periods may start up again for a couple of years. This has resulted in surprise pregnancies. Women should avoid pregnancy for at least six months after amalgam removal.
Mercury has also been documented to be a reproductive and developmental toxin in humans. Mercury has been documented to cross the placenta and commonly is found in the fetus at higher levels than in the mother. Likewise mercury is readily transmitted to an infant through the mother's breast milk. Some of mercury's documented hormonal effects at very low levels of exposure include effects on the reproductive system resulting in lowered sperm counts, defective sperm cells, and lowered testosterone levels in males; along with menstrual disturbances, infertility, spontaneous abortions in women, and birth defects. Studies found that very low levels of exposure to mercury cause genetic/ DNA damage and inhibits DNA & RNA synthesis; damages sperm, lowers sperm counts, and reduces motility ; causes menstrual disturbances ; reduces blood's ability to transport oxygen to fetus, and the transport of essential amino acids and nutrients including magnesium, zinc and Vit B12 ; depresses enzyme function and isocitric dehydrogenase (ICD) in fetus; causes reduced iodine uptake, inhibited ATP activity, & hypothyroidism; causes infertility, and causes spontaneous abortions and birth defects. Pregnant women who suffer from hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) have a four-time greater risk for miscarriage during the second trimester than those who don't, and women with untreated thyroid deficiency were four-times more likely to have a child with a developmental disability and lower I.Q.
And, it seems that many vaccines also contain two other spermicidal agents. Octoxinol-9 which is a spermicide that causes rashes, dizziness, chills and muscle aches, and Nonoxynol-9 which is a powerful disinfectant and spermicide.
Families will make case for vaccine link to autism
By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer
Mon May 12, 7:34 AM ET
WASHINGTON - The Institute of Medicine said in 2004 there was no credible evidence to show that vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal led to autism in children. But thousands of families have a different take based on personal experience.
Some of them are going to court Monday as attorneys will attempt to show that the mercury-based preservative triggers symptoms of autism.
Two 10-year-old boys from Portland, Ore., will serve as test cases to determine whether many of the children and their families should be compensated. Attorneys for the boys will attempt to show the boys were happy, healthy and developing normally -- but, after being exposed to vaccines with thimerosal, they began to regress.
Thimerosal has been removed in recent years from standard childhood vaccines, except flu vaccines that are not packaged in single-doses. The CDC says single-dose flu shots currently are available only in limited quantities. In 2004, a committee with the Institute of Medicine concluded there was no credible evidence that vaccines containing thimerosal caused autism.
Overall, nearly 4,900 families have filed claims with the U.S. Court of Claims alleging that vaccines caused autism and other neurological problems in their children. Lawyers for the families are presenting three different theories of how vaccines caused autism.
The Office of Special Masters of the claims court has instructed the plaintiffs to designate three test cases for each of the three theories -- nine cases in all -- and has assigned three special masters to handle the cases. Three cases in the first category were heard last year, but no decisions have been reached.
The two cases beginning Monday are among the three that focus on the second theory of causation: that thimerosal-containing vaccines alone cause autism. The plaintiff in the third case originally scheduled for hearing this month has withdrawn and lawyers and court officials are working to agree on a substitute case.
Hearings in the test cases for the third theory of causation are scheduled in mid-September.
Lawyers for the petitioning families in the cases being heard this month say they will present evidence that injections with thimerosal deposit a form of mercury in the brain. That mercury excites certain brain cells that stay chronically activated trying to get rid of the intrusion.
"In some kids, there's enough of it that it sets off this chronic neuroinflammatory pattern that can lead to regressive autism," said attorney Mike Williams.
In the end, the families' attorneys hope to convince the special master hearing their case that thimerosal belongs on the list of causes for the inflammation that leads to regressive autism.
To win, the attorneys for the two boys, William Mead and Jordan King, will have to show that it's more likely than not that the vaccine actually caused the injury.
Many members of the medical community are skeptical of the families' claims. They worry that the claims about the dangers of vaccines could cause some people to forgo vaccines that prevent illness.
"I think that what's so endearing to me about the anti-vaccine people, is they're perfectly willing to go from one hypothesis to the next without a backward glance," said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Dr. Andrew Gerber, a psychiatrist, said that medical experts don't have a comprehensive understanding of what causes autism, but they do know there is a strong hereditary component.
Toxins from the environment could play a role, but currently, data does not support that they do, Gerber said.
Arguments are scheduled to go on throughout the month. A final decision could take several more months. Claims that are successful would result in compensation taking into account lost earnings after age 18 and up to $250,000 for pain and suffering.
The families or the federal government can also appeal the decision of the special master to the Court of Federal Claims or to a federal appeals court.
The court Web site says more than 12,500 claims have been filed since creation of the program in 1987, including more than 5,300 autism cases, and more than $1.7 billion has been paid in claims. It says there is now more than $2.7 billion in a trust fund supported by an excise tax on each dose of vaccine covered by the program.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080512/ap_on_he_me/autism_court_case&printer=1;_ylt=ApisQnyyhDNXYM5cXAwRnD1a24cA
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