| Panel discussion of vaccine safety opens upcoming autism conference The debated link between vaccinations and rising incidences of autism will be the topic of a national panel discussion on vaccine safety in Auburn Friday, Nov. 5. The forum will include top world authorities, is open to the public and free of charge. Panelists' comments will begin at 3 p.m. at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center, 241 S. College Street. This panel is part of the MiniDAN! (http://www.danconference.com) (Defeat Autism Now!) conference being held Nov. 6 and 7. This conference—held regularly at various international locations—is dedicated to increasing awareness and educating parents and clinicians about the latest research and advances in preventing, detecting and treating autism. The event is an activity of the National Autism Association. Because of its mission to provide comprehensive services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder, their families, schools and agencies, the Auburn University Autism Center (http://www.auburn.edu/autismcenter) is collaborating with MiniDAN planners in providing this resource to local families and physicians. "No matter what an individual's scientific position is regarding the debate of vaccination safety, the opportunity to engage in discussion with international experts on the subject is an important one," Dr. Caroline Gomez, co-director of the Auburn University Autism Center said. "This could very well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for parents and heath care providers in our community to participate in a forum of this magnitude." The panelists will discuss research supporting or dispelling allegations that the contents of vaccinations can provide "triggers" that lead to autism spectrum disorders, ADD and ADHD. Such incidences have risen from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 166 children in recent years. The most serious of these suspected triggers include mercury-based preservatives used in vaccinations in addition to other toxins present in today's arsenal of required childhood vaccinations. Such incidences account for more than a 1,840 percent increase in autism among Alabama's children during the last 11 years, according to the U.S. Department of Education's 2004 statistics. Some have speculated that the increase in prevalence of autism has paralleled the increasing number of mandatory vaccinations during the last 30 years. The panel includes:
?? Teresa Binstock, internationally known independent published researcher and co-author of "Thimerasol as a Novel Form of Mercury Poisoning" ?? Stephanie Cave, M.D., internationally known author of "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Children's Vaccinations" and leading physician in the treatment of autism ?? Boyd Haley, Ph.D., internationally known chair of the University of Kentucky's Department of Chemistry. Haley's research on mercury toxicity has led to publications and presentations to Congress, the surgeon general and Institute of Medicine ?? Jill James, Ph.D., professor, Department of Pediatrics at Arkansas Children's Hospital ?? Jaquelyn McCandless, M.D., international author, specialist in autism spectrum disorder and medical director of physician training at the Autism Research Institute ?? Kathleen Stratton, Ph.D., senior program officer, Institute of Medicine at National Academics, Washington, D.C. There will be time following the panel discussion for questions from the audience. A standing-room-only crowd is expected, as numerous national media outlets have committed to be in attendance. For more information about the panel or other conference events, please contact
Karen Jones at 334.887.0877, or visit http://www.danconference.com.
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| Last modified on 10/29/04 3:45 PM by Katie Crew |