Now I'm not much of an activist -- or a cynic. But if I were, this whole CDC/Thimerosal/Autism controversy would surely be bugging me. I reported a couple weeks ago about the ad that Generation Rescue had placed in the USA Today newspaper, outlining their argument that not only does thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative in vaccines, "cause" autism, but that the CDC purposely did not remove thimerosal from vaccines for a long time after their own studies showed a definitive connection between thimerosal and the rise in cases of autism.

The argument is compelling, and the CDC is obviously shaken by the ad. So shaken that they felt obligated to respond. Here's their response.

What's confusing about the response is that first CDC explains their stance that they have been mischaracterized and that if levels of thimerosal in vaccines were dangerous then they would not have recommended the vaccines be used.

Then in the very next paragraph, they start with "We’ve made substantial progress in removing thimerosal from vaccines-". Hmmm... sounds like the media professionals at CDC need to re-read their press release before releasing it. Which is it? If isn't harmful, why bother removing it? Not very cleverly worded double-speak, in my opinion.

"As we continue in our efforts to further reduce the use of thimerosal in vaccines, we must also ensure, particularly in the case of influenza, that our efforts do not create serious undesirable outcomes..." What does this mean? Does it mean that it's ok to compromise thousands of children's neurological health with the thimerosal in flu vaccines so they don't catch the flu? Yes influenza is a serious illness -- but then again, so is autism.

I have yet to wholeheartedly believe that my daughter's autistic tendencies (she carries the PDD dx) are mercury-caused. Perhaps they are;perhaps not. But after biomedical testing, we do know she has high levels of certain heavy metals in her body (copper, aluminum and nickel to name a few -- we've nicknamed her "pocket change" because she's full of coin-making metals -- ok, it's a bad family joke!!!!) But, regardless on the cause(s) of LuLu's neurological damage, the compelling evidence that links mercury to autism is out there and apparently the CDC must think so too -- otherwise, just why, again, would they be removing thimerosal from vaccines at the same time they are adamantly denying it is harmful????