Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Diane E. Watson (CA-33rd) questioned the findings of the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) May 18 final report on the safety of vaccines that contain thimerosal, the mercury-based preservative, and thimerosal’s potential impact on the growing incidence of autism in the United States
Congresswoman Watson stated, “Just because the Institute of Medicine report concludes that there is not a preponderance of scientific evidence to link thimerosal to the growing incidence of autism does not mean that we should discontinue investigations into the effects of mercury-containing thimerosal. Unbiased researchers are continuing to produce results that challenge the Institute of Medicine’s findings. The Institute of Medicine did not make the statement that mercury injected into the body is helpful. Mercury is mercury; it is a neuro-toxic substance–one of the most toxic substances known to man. Name one beneficial use of mercury in the human body.”
The Institute of Medicine report is the eighth and final in a series designed to examine the safety of vaccines that contain the mercury-based preservative, thimerosal. The Institute based its final conclusions –that there is no causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism– on its review of approximately 10 previously conducted epidemiological studies. Of those roughly 10 studies, 5 reported probable links between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism, yet those 5 were summarily dismissed because the Institute determined the manner in which they were conducted was flawed.
Congresswoman Watson noted that in her home state of California, autism is now more prevalent than childhood cancer, diabetes, and Down’s Syndrome. She further noted that California’s material safety data sheet, mandated by Proposition 65, lists thimerosal as a product that contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause birth defects or developmental disorders.
“My opposition to the Institute of Medicine report is not that I do not like its findings, rather it’s that I do not believe the findings are conclusive. Remove the pharmaceutical industry-based bias from the report and consider the facts. Mercury is toxic. Thimerosal contains mercury. The body burden of mercury of a newborn child after vaccination has been observed to be 10-60 times the limit set by the EPA.”
“Can we afford to continue to take this kind of chance with the health of our children? We must continue to investigate the mercury-autism relationship in a comprehensive, transparent, and collaborative manner in order to unlock the mystery for the American public.”
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