Autism, Rogue Genes, Vaccines and Conflicts of Interest.

Around the world this week there was great excitement as headlines announced that scientists have discovered rogue genes that could unlock the riddle of Autism. Three studies have identified genetic links to Autism. Findings suggest that flaws in proteins are present in 15% of cases. These proteins play a huge part in shaping brain connections and the way cells communicate.

Common genetic variants on 5p14.1 associate with autism spectrum disorders

It appears that a genetic link, which could explain why so many children have Autism and could dispel the many myths surrounding the Autism/Vaccine argument has been found. This made front page news in some UK newspapers even above the 'Swine Flu Pandemic'. Headlines like 'Have We Found The Key To Autism' and 'Biggest autism study identifies gene variations behind condition' appeared in newspapers. This could open the door to screening babies to find those at risk, which could lead to early interventions. The Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) group from Autism Speaks and the Center of Applied Genomics at the Children´s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) were the organisations behind the studies and this is where suddenly excitement turns into alarm bells. AGRE are behind most gene studies so there is nothing unusual about them being involved but CHOP are the ones who are largely controlling the project. The MD of the Children´s Hospital of Philadelphia is Paul Offit and CHOP is where we find the The Vaccine Education Centre have this to say about themselves:-

About the Vaccine Education Center

"The Vaccine Education Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was launched in October 2000 to provide accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent to parents and healthcare professionals.

The Center, through its Web sites, videos, informational tear sheets and speakers programs, seeks to dispel some of the common misconceptions and misinformation surrounding vaccines. The goal is to communicate the facts about each vaccine as well as how vaccines are made, how and why vaccines work, who recommends them, whether they are safe, whether they are still necessary, and when they should be given.

The Vaccine Education Center is funded by endowed chairs from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and foundation grants. The Center does not receive support from vaccine manufacturers."

This is where we need to wind back and look again "The Center does not receive support from vaccine manufacturers, however other reports have differing views Dr. Offit shares the patent on the Rotavirus vaccine in development by Merck and lists a $350,000 grant from Merck for Rotavirus vaccine development. Also, he lists that he is a consultant to Merck." Maybe the centre does not receive support from vaccine manfacturers but Dr Paul Offit does Voting Himself Rich: CDC Vaccine Adviser Made $29 Million Or More After Using Role to Create Market states "Dr. Paul Offit of the Children´s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) took home a fortune of at least $29 million as part of a $182 million sale by CHOP of its worldwide royalty interest in the Merck Rotateq vaccine to Royalty Pharma in April of last year, according to an investigation by Age of Autism. Based on an analysis of current CHOP administrative policies, the amount of income distributed to Offit could be as high as $46 million."

Given the above and that Paul Offit is the MD of CHOP it is fairly reasonable to wonder how the Autism Gene work could be beneficial to Paul Offit. Well given that the vaccine industry is making Dr Paul Offit a very wealthy man it is certainly very beneficial for him to find another cause for Autism other than vaccine especially as Merck are the manufacturers of the MMR11 and maybe Dr Offit feels that he should not bite the hand that feeds so to speak.

Paul Offit has been a key figure in debunking the Autism/Vaccine link. In his testimony he states:-

"My name is Paul Offit. I am a paediatrician. I am also the Chief of Infectious Diseases and the Henle Professor of Immunologic and Infectious Diseases at The Children´s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. I am also a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to the CDC. I have 20 years of experience in the areas of virology and immunology.

My role, in these proceedings, is to explore the theories that have arisen due to concerns by the public that autism might be caused by the combination of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines (known as MMR). No evidence exists that proves this association. However, three theories have been used to explain it. In the time that I have been given, I would like to explain why I think that these theories are not valid."

He continued "My concern, Mr. Chairman, is that some parents listening to or reading about this hearing might incorrectly conclude that vaccines cause autism. This is clearly not the case – vaccines are extremely safe and highly effective. I encourage this committee to make that fact clear to every parent in America.

If, as a result of reading about this hearing, some parents choose to withhold or delay vaccines for their children, their tragedy could be profound. If many parents choose to withhold vaccines, the tragedy all across America could be devastating.

Let´s proceed cautiously, carefully, and scientifically."

Nowhere did it state any conflicts of interest.

This was Dr. Paul Offit's testimony to the House Government Reform Committee, given on 6 April 2000. Dr. Offit addressed the question of: Does the MMR vaccine cause autism?

A reminder of who Paul Offit is

"Paul Offit, MD, is Chief, Section of Infectious Diseases and the Henle Professor of Immunologic and Infectious Diseases at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He is a HOLDER OF A ROTAVIRUS VACCINE PATENT who was part of the team who mandated rotavirus vaccine - you remember that dangerous vaccine that was taken off the market AFTER it had damaged children, NOT before even though they had the information it was dangerous.

Dr. Offit lists that he is a consultant to Merck on an attachment to his OGE 450, but does not disclose whether or not he received any renumeration for his services.

Dr. Offit is a member of the CDC advisory committee and disclosed that he received $350,000 grant money from Merck to develop the rotavirus vaccine, in which he shares the patent, which was pulled 6 months after is was licensed because of severe problems.He gets paid to go around the country teaching doctors that vaccines are safe. (Wall Street Journal).

Dr. Offit began his tenure on ACIP in October of 1998. Out of four votes pertaining to the ACIP's rotavirus statement he voted "yes" three times, including, voting for the inclusion of the rotavirus vaccine in the VFC program.

Dr. Offit abstained from voting on the ACIP's rescission of the recommendation of the rotavirus vaccine for routine use. He stated at the meeting, "I'm not conflicted with Wyeth, but because I consult with Merck on the development of rotavirus vaccine, I would still prefer to abstain because it creates a perception of conflict."

Not so long ago Simon Baron-Cohen was heavily criticized for talking about the advances in gene therapy in regards to finding a cause for Autism. Recently the team that Professor Simon Baron-Cohen heads, at Cambridge University, also announced that new genetic research may bring about the possibility of prenatal testing for autism, a step closer. This was reported as an advance which could allow parents to opt for a termination should their babies have the condition. This news prompted experts to call for a national debate about the consequences of screening for the disorder in the womb and allowing women to terminate babies with the condition.

The study, hailed a 'breakthrough' by Cambridge University's Autism Research Center, has followed 235 children from birth to the age of eight. The team found that high levels of testosterone in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women, was linked to autistic traits, such as a lack of sociability and verbal skills, in their children.

So the 'Autism Gene' is hardly news, it did however spark angry outbursts from professionals. One comment came from Lisa Blakemore-Brown she said "It is shocking that autistic children and their suffering is routinely ignored for years and years, until Professor Baron-Cohen suggests casually to the world via the BBC that autism may one day be picked up in the womb. Suddenly we hear of the terrible lives many children and their families have to endure, in order to justify the idea of aborting them before they are born. Perhaps Professor Baron-Cohen should address the possibility that these bio-markers may simply show which children might react to vaccines and their components such as mercury and aluminium and the tapestry effect when live viruses are introduced? In which case it´s the damaging vaccines that need terminating not the babies!" She could be right. I am presuming that all the children in the Autism Gene studies with Autism had had the MMR and their other routine vaccines, so was it the faulty gene causing their Autism or was in the interaction of the vaccines with the faulty gene as Lisa suggests that caused the Autism? Lisa is not alone in believing that vaccines may cause Autism in children with faulty genes. Recently cases have had success in the courts on this very issue. Autism payout reignites vaccine controversy an article by Jim Giles highlights one such case.

"It transpired that the child's mitochondria, the powerhouses that provide cells with energy, were not working normally, and tests revealed a mutation in a gene linked to mitochondrial function. After studying her medical history, officials at the Department of Health and Human Services concluded that the vaccines had "significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder, which predisposed her to deficits in energy metabolism", causing brain damage with "features of autism spectrum disorder".

Deal in an Autism Case Fuels Debate on Vaccine by Gardiner Harris highlights another case. This is the case of Hannah Polling.

"Hannah, of Athens, was 19 months old and developing normally in 2000 when she received five shots against nine infectious diseases. Two days later, she developed a fever, cried inconsolably and refused to walk. Over the next seven months she spiraled downward, and in 2001 she was given a diagnosis of autism."

"There are two theories about what happened to Hannah, said her mother, Terry Poling. The first is that she had an underlying mitochondrial disorder that vaccinations aggravated. The second is that vaccinations caused this disorder".

It is all very well for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to make these claims but we need proper studies, studying children with this gene who have not had vaccines, to find out if it is purely the gene that caused the Autism. Even if the gene was found in the womb how does anyone know if it was the gene that caused the subsequent Autism or like Lisa said, the gene was purely a bio marker for children with this gene reacting and developing Autism as a result of vaccination?

This is a true 'chicken before the egg' scenario and until real studies have been carried out we will never know which really came first.