There has been much debate about whether vaccines trigger autism. Autism is a condition that interferes with a child's ability to communicate and interact socially (How Autism Works 2008). They believe a mixture of genetic and environmental factors causes autism to occur. Scientists believe that not one gene, but a combination of genes are to blame for the occurrence of autism. Some of the genes that have been isolated are HOXA1 (involved in brain structures and nerves), RELN (involved in connections between nerve cells), and GABA pathway genes (involved in helping nerve cells communicate with one another) (Causes of Autism 2008). It is believed that these genes host the disease, but a number of environmental factors actually trigger it to appear. These factors could be chemicals such as mercury, lead or PCB’s and exposure of viral infections.
In 1998, a British study conducted by Dr. Andrew Wakefield made aware of the fact that childhood vaccines could be the cause of autism. [He]… suggested that measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine caused an infection in the intestines, which led to the developmental and gastrointestinal disorders seen in autism (Causes of Autism 2008). Mercuric compounds are nephorotoxic and neurotoxic at high doses. Thimerosal is a vaccine preservative and contains ethlymercury and is believed to …affect brain development [thus] triggering autism (Causes of Autism 2008).
As a large number of the population continues to get vaccinations, the number of people with autism also increases. Some scientists say the estimated number of cases of autism has increased 15-fold –1,500 percent – since 1991, when the number of childhood vaccinations doubled (The great thimerosal cover-up: Mercury, vaccines, autism and your child's health 2008). Many countries have now banned the use of thimerosal in vaccines.
Richard Deth, a Pharmacy professor, found that exposure to thimerosal interrupts growth factor signaling, causing adverse effects on the transfer of carbon atoms (The great thimerosal cover-up: Mercury, vaccines, autism and your child's health 2008), which regulate DNA function and gene expression.
Much research has been conducted to investigate and understand as to whether vaccines cause autism.
In 1998, a British study conducted by Dr. Andrew Wakefield made aware of the fact that childhood vaccines could be the cause of autism. [He]… suggested that measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine caused an infection in the intestines, which led to the developmental and gastrointestinal disorders seen in autism (Causes of Autism 2008). Mercuric compounds are nephorotoxic and neurotoxic at high doses. Thimerosal is a vaccine preservative and contains ethlymercury and is believed to …affect brain development [thus] triggering autism (Causes of Autism 2008).
As a large number of the population continues to get vaccinations, the number of people with autism also increases. Some scientists say the estimated number of cases of autism has increased 15-fold –1,500 percent – since 1991, when the number of childhood vaccinations doubled (The great thimerosal cover-up: Mercury, vaccines, autism and your child's health 2008). Many countries have now banned the use of thimerosal in vaccines.
Richard Deth, a Pharmacy professor, found that exposure to thimerosal interrupts growth factor signaling, causing adverse effects on the transfer of carbon atoms (The great thimerosal cover-up: Mercury, vaccines, autism and your child's health 2008), which regulate DNA function and gene expression.
Much research has been conducted to investigate and understand as to whether vaccines cause autism.
Name: Mona Nagi
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