General Discussion

True Earthling

(832 posts)

33. For a good explanation of the study and further illumination on the topic of Autism/mercury...

Sun Jul 20, 2014, 10:46 PM

Jul 2014

I suggest you read the blog of Derek Lowe, one of the most respected scientist/chemist bloggers on the net who regularly writes about bad science...

Derek's take on the NEJM study...
http://pipeline.corante.com/archives/2007/09/27/thimerosal_again.php

Yet another study has shown no link between the former vaccine additive thimerosal and neurological problems in children. This one evaluated over a thousand seven-to-ten year olds for a long list of outcomes, and came up negative. No strong correlations were found, and the weak ones seemed to spread out evenly among positive and negative consequences.

This is just the kind of data that researchers are used to seeing. Most experiments don't work, and most attempts to find correlations come up empty. The leftovers are a pile of weak, unconvincing traces, all pointing in different directions while not reaching statistical significance. For a study like this one, though, this is a good answer. The question is "Does thimerosal exposure show any connection to any of these forty-two neurological symptoms?", and the answer is "No. Not as far as we can see, and we looked very hard indeed."

Derek Lowes archive of postings on Autism pseudoscience...

http://pipeline.corante.com/archives/autism/

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

109 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Robert Kennedy's Anti-Vaccine Craziness [View all] True Earthling Jul 2014 OP

Nobody has more respect and admiration for the Kennedy family than I do. PSPS Jul 2014 #1

Link, or slink RobertEarl Jul 2014 #14

::sigh:: Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #17

Gee, no linlks RobertEarl Jul 2014 #21

Here's your fucking links... Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #24

Which one says it safe? RobertEarl Jul 2014 #27

READ THE LINKS! Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #28

Hair-on-fire slander is woo!! RobertEarl Jul 2014 #32

Pointing out that he is peddling woo Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #57

You still don't understand what woo is. NuclearDem Jul 2014 #63

RFK is a douchebag?? RFK is a highly respected Democrat. And this is a Democratic forum. sabrina 1 Jul 2014 #37

RFK Jr was who I was referring to... Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #56

I know who you are referring to, I am a Democrat. As I said, he has pissed off sabrina 1 Jul 2014 #61

You are defending the woo that RFK is peddling... Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #70

No. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is a heroic figure. And you don't even know why. Octafish Jul 2014 #44

Hero's don't promoted DANGEROUS ideologies Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #68

That's as vile a thing I've heard anyone say. Octafish Jul 2014 #88

This place is full of extremists that hate on democrats and democracy Rex Jul 2014 #89

I hate on neither Democrats nor Democracy... Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #92

It is a sport among a few DUers to pick on the Kennedy family with glee. Rex Jul 2014 #94

Really? Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #91

You can call him all the names ya want to, but don't pretend to be a democrat. Rex Jul 2014 #93

I don't pretend. Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #97

+100 zappaman Jul 2014 #100

This is why I love these 'discussions'. People reveal so much about themselves sabrina 1 Jul 2014 #104

Science and Democracy, my dear... Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #106

+1...nt SidDithers Jul 2014 #108

Exactly... SidDithers Jul 2014 #58

Another link True Earthling Jul 2014 #26

Very good RobertEarl Jul 2014 #31

For a good explanation of the study and further illumination on the topic of Autism/mercury... True Earthling Jul 2014 #33

Very good, again RobertEarl Jul 2014 #34

Why does what RFK, jr "has to say about" this study matter? Recursion Jul 2014 #54

DURec... SidDithers Jul 2014 #2

Yeah, I would have to agree with you there. smirkymonkey Jul 2014 #4

Just a loon in general. A dangerous one. nt geek tragedy Jul 2014 #7

He still has his fans, though. Misguided as they might be...nt SidDithers Jul 2014 #9

He has no fans on the Right that is for sure, but he definitely has the respect of most sabrina 1 Jul 2014 #105

Sadly, it makes him a poor spokesperson for any topic. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #10

Yup. He's pretty much destroyed his credibility with this misguided crusade... SidDithers Jul 2014 #15

He's been a good advocate for a few other issues. MohRokTah Jul 2014 #16

+1000. nt awoke_in_2003 Jul 2014 #19

Sid and I don't agree on much - TBF Jul 2014 #72

Lies RobertEarl Jul 2014 #3

"If RFK is right". RFK is not right. He's wrong.. SidDithers Jul 2014 #5

RFK has them scared. He's doing damage RobertEarl Jul 2014 #6

It's not slander, it's the truth... SidDithers Jul 2014 #8

Truth is RobertEarl Jul 2014 #11

Nobody is "freaking out" over anything RFK Jr. has had to say about vaccines... SidDithers Jul 2014 #13

"They have removed mercury from many vaccines" NickB79 Jul 2014 #51

'Trillions of dollars'??? randome Jul 2014 #64

You're right RobertEarl Jul 2014 #66

1000 injured children at $1 million each would be $1 Billion... SidDithers Jul 2014 #67

Damn, Thanks, sid, you're right RobertEarl Jul 2014 #69

Health agencies around the world are making sure the kids are healthy... SidDithers Jul 2014 #73

Well, then, since you put it that way RobertEarl Jul 2014 #74

Elemental mercury is a toxin... Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #82

*has them laughing. NuclearDem Jul 2014 #12

You pretty much come down on the wrong side Codeine Jul 2014 #20

in my view PowerToThePeople Jul 2014 #45

He sure has all the right people angry at him. Not informed enough on this topic sabrina 1 Jul 2014 #38

You noticed? RobertEarl Jul 2014 #39

I can think of a few. sabrina 1 Jul 2014 #47

YEP. Rex Jul 2014 #90

Why is the autism rate increasing? jopacaco Jul 2014 #18

They've been removed from the category of weird kids who deserve to be picked on-- eridani Jul 2014 #23

What Autism Epidemic? True Earthling Jul 2014 #30

Is there any evidence it is? (nt) Recursion Jul 2014 #55

Is it actually increasing, or is diagnosis increasing? NuclearDem Jul 2014 #62

Not because he is "famous" Cal Carpenter Jul 2014 #22

I found out I'm allergic to thimerosal by accident Omaha Steve Jul 2014 #25

So he & Jenny McCarthy can start a new franchise n/t UTUSN Jul 2014 #29

Welcome to the Prairie of Prax. tavernier Jul 2014 #35

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #36

What is "brain fever"? I see no diagnosis mentioned. Most encephalitis is viral or bacterial induced pinto Jul 2014 #40

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #49

When it comes to this subject, Kennedy is a moron. zappaman Jul 2014 #41

When he talked about this on Air America PowerToThePeople Jul 2014 #42

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #50

Sometimes even the most steady guy or girl can have a particular quirk. Archae Jul 2014 #43

An adult who believed in Santa Claus? Who had kids? cui bono Jul 2014 #85

I have no idea. Archae Jul 2014 #87

Geez, DU has changed Prophet 451 Jul 2014 #46

Not to mention anti-GMO hysteria, too. alp227 Jul 2014 #48

We have a whooping cough epidemic in California. JDPriestly Jul 2014 #52

As the mother of a child with autism, SheilaT Jul 2014 #53

My 8 year old is also on the spectrum... Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #83

I could have written this post...thank you for it. nt msanthrope Jul 2014 #103

$2 billion paid out for vaccine injuries to kids womanofthehills Jul 2014 #59

Interesting, thanks RobertEarl Jul 2014 #60

And NONE of that is about autism. Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #84

Anti-vaccination nutcases like this guy and Jenny McCarthy have blood on their hands. Nye Bevan Jul 2014 #65

Agreed... Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #71

And anti-vaxxers should be banned from DU... SidDithers Jul 2014 #75

i would support this notion WHOLEHEARTEDLY. nt La Lioness Priyanka Jul 2014 #79

Agreed. Dr Hobbitstein Jul 2014 #80

Thanks for that... SidDithers Jul 2014 #95

DU allows anti-abortion people on here. cui bono Jul 2014 #86

I don't give anyone a pass on stupid - a Kennedy or not. Drunken Irishman Jul 2014 #76

Y Chromosome is most common factor HockeyMom Jul 2014 #77

Strong argument there. nt TBF Jul 2014 #78

I know 4 kids with Autism Marrah_G Jul 2014 #81

Some here make it a sport to hate on the Kennedy's with impunity. Rex Jul 2014 #96

I don't know why being the descendent of a rum-runner confers automatic respect REP Jul 2014 #98

Kennedy barbaraj Jul 2014 #99

Why can't we just flush this nutter once and for all? AngryAmish Jul 2014 #101

Being a Kennedy is no guarantee of sainthood or even rationality Warpy Jul 2014 #102

Kicking... SidDithers Jul 2014 #107

Message auto-removed Name removed Jul 2014 #109