Study Refutes Autism, Vaccine Link
A new study is sure to rekindle the controversy over vaccines and autism.
Jenny McCarthy, Robert Kennedy Jr. and a lot of other non-celebrity-types are convinced there's a link between vaccines and autism.
But the study suggests it ain't so. It found that autism cases in California continued to climb even after the preservative thimerosal (the alleged culprit) was removed from vaccines in 2001.
OTOH, some say the rising incidence of autism is attributable to a broader definition, coupled with increased awareness of the disorder (i.e. if you look for something, you're more likely to find it).
Which leaves us ... kinda where we started. In other words, the cause of autism is just as big a mystery as it's always been.
Anyway, whether you believe in Jenny's theories or not, she's surely an inspiration for the autism community. Take, for example, her straight talk about the insecurities that arise from having an autistic kid:
After the divorce, even though it felt good and the right thing to do, I felt, as I'm sure many mothers with children who have autism feel, 'Who in the heck is going to love me with my child who has autism?' I don't care how big your boobs are or blonde your hair is -- you're going to feel that way.
Well, Jim Carrey, for one. Jenny says he loves her and her kid -- boobs, blonde hair, autism and all. That's so cool.
Study refutes autism, vaccine link [MSNBC]
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