Vaccines Induce Autism Like Behavior in Monkeys

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 21:58

Posted in category Kid's Health

According to a press release from the National Autism Association, evidence was presented at the International Meeting For Autism Research that giving vaccines to infant macaque monkeys induced symptoms of autism. Infant macaques were vaccinated according to the current childhood vaccination schedule, and then followed for signs and symptoms of autism. The study showed that vaccinated animals had significantly more problems with social behaviors, as well as chronic inflammation and changes in their gut than were seen in unvaccinated animals.

At this point, the researchers and organizations directly involved in the study are withholding comment until their findings are published. I look forward to seeing the complete study myself, because I’m anxious to read more about the exact vaccine formulations used and to see some of the actual data they present.

The information being presented is controversial enough to catch my attention, but without the actual data in front of me the entire vaccine – autism link still has too many holes in it as far as I’m concerned. I might be more convinced if the people who claim a link between vaccines and autism could come up with one unified explanation of the mechanism by which vaccines cause autism. Is it the MMR, or is it thimerasol? If it’s the thimerasol, why don’t more parents report regression earlier in the vaccination series? If it is the MMR, why aren’t we hearing more about a population of kids that suddenly regressing at age 5 or 6, when they get an MMR booster before starting school?

One Response to “Vaccines Induce Autism Like Behavior in Monkeys”

Lisa says:

October 29th, 2008 at 12:52 pm

I have the same questions about the information from current studies. My position is that the mechanism of action for many drugs is not understood but they are still prescribed. Keep in mind the number of times that you have read that a drug does not cause tumors in animals and then we assume that it is safe for humans. If it DOES cause tumors in beagles, well, that’s different. It doesn’t mean it will in humans.

From my reading it would seem that the measles component is the most likely cause of a neurological reaction. Of course, you really don’t want your kids exposed to thimerasol anyway. It’s an interesting issue.

Despite the flawed studies linking autism, I suspect there is truth to the connection. This is based on the neurological reaction that my own daughter had at 15 months. What is all these parents are telling the truth and there was a dramatic change right after the MMR?

My daughter is 7 now and she is fine. It was simply terrifying.