Autism
Articles in "Taking Sides"
"Do
Vaccines Cause
Autism?"
Easton, Thomas. Taking
Sides:
Science, Technology, and
Society, sixth
edition.
Issue Summary:
- YES: Investigative reporter Marnie Ko reports that vaccines,
many
of
which use a mercury compound as a preservative, are associated
with
numerous cases of childhood autism and other conditions.
Vaccines are
not adequately tested for safety. (from "Safe from What?"
Report/Newsmagazine,
(National
Edition) September 23, 2002).
- NO: Roger Bernier, Associate Director for Science, National
Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, asserts that numerous
studies
fail to show that vaccines cause autism, and the
mercury-containing
preservative is no longer used for childhood vaccines in any
event.
Further research into vaccine safety is under way. (from
"Vaccine Safety and Autism", Testimony
before
the House Committee on Government Reform, June 19,
2002)