before i forget
My local paper, The Indianapolis Star, ran this editorial Wednesday with eregard to the whole Thimerosal flap that calls into question the scientific basis of the connection between the mercury-based preservative and autism. (Full disclosure: Indianapolis is the headquarters for Eli Lilly and Company, one of the manufacturers of the perservative). However, the editorial glosses over the contention that while Thimerosal might not be harmful as the result of a single vaccination, the cumulative effect of multiple vaccinations might be another matter. In addition, as I understand it, this subject has hardly been thoroughly researched; saying there's little evidence yet hardly proves there's no connection (though indeed, ther may very well not be). And, of course, the undebated secrecy of the provision's last-minute insertion in the so-called Homeland Security bill hardly inspires confidence in the rectitude of its supporters' claims.
P.L.A., always excellent on the subject, has also called attention to the Government's request to seal discovery from the special vaccine court the Homeland Security provision; if the evidence--already known to the pharmaceutical companies--does not support the contention that Thimerosal is harmful, why move to suppress it?
This Modern World has more on the subject (via The Rittenhouse Review).
I fully agree with the contention of the Star--and others--that "Good science must dictate the proper course." Let there be good science, then, and openness of information. But rushing to judgement on the basis of scant evidence is not good science, on either side.
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