Does Thimerosal Cause Neuropsychological Problems in Children?
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I read with interest the article "Early Thimerosal Exposure and Neuropsychological Outcomes at 7 to 10 Years" published on September 27, 2007 from research in part done at The Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Thimerosal, which has been used in childhood vaccines since the 1930s, contains mercury and the question of whether or not it causes neurologic damage in children is one that is hotly debated in the medical literature. I write this note to discuss not the state of the medical literature, but to question the credibility of the authors' conclusion, that "our study does not support a causal association between early exposure to mercury from Thimerosal containing vaccines . . . and deficits in neurological functioning at age of 7 to 10 years."
Here is why. While reading the article I wondered whether its authors had any contacts with drug companies. To be sure, at the very end, in small print, the conflict of interests disclosures were found. One of the authors was a former employee of Merck, the giant pharmaceutical company. Another had received consulting fees from other pharmaceutical giants and vaccine producers, including Sanofi Pasteur, Glaxo-Smith Kline, and Medimmune. Yet a third author had received grants from Wyeth, Sanofi Pasteur, Glaxo-Smith Kline, and Novartis, and consulting fees from Wyeth and Abbott. Another author received consulting fees from Medimmune, Glaxo-Smith Kline, Novartis and Merck, and grant support from Medimmune.
As a lawyer, we are taught that every witness has a bias. I can't help but conclude that the same may hold true for the authors of such an important study.
November 22, 2007
