Letters From the Issue of Thursday, December 28, 2006

First, that is a dangerous statement without clearly stating how many experts you've interviewed for this article. Was it one, three, one group, one company, etc.? Also, there is an inherent "wrongness" in that statement just making any sense. How can almost all autism be genetic? Does that mean that some "autisms" are not genetic? It makes no sense. It's like saying that almost all blue eyes are genetic, except (of course) the ones that slipped up on us and "appeared" out of nowhere. Do you see the ridiculousness of that statement? I think it's great that we have a public that is now talking about this issue; discussion is necessary for answers. I do not think it's responsible for people (with just opinions) to report on such a serious, life-changing condition as if they have the final say. This debate is far from over, far from decided, far from a blanket statement that it's basically genetic. There may very well be a genetic component, but we must not act as if the case is closed. Have you ever wondered how this damage happened (to these genes) in the first place? Have you investigated the other side of this debate?

I have a child who was diagnosed with PDD when he was 3. He is now 5. And, because of very specific things I've done, he is almost out of the woods completely! It has taken research, behavioral therapy, major diet changes, and specific herbs that have changed his life. Before you come to a conclusion and misinform the public, please do a better job of researching the issue. I encourage you to read David Kirby's book Evidence of Harm, and then maybe you'll have a different perspective.

Have you been following California's autism rates? We will know in the next few years how this will shake out. Don't you find it a little curious that the "autism" rates skyrocketed when the (recommended) childhood vaccine schedule almost doubled? There are so many unanswered questions for the so-called experts. I am a concerned parent, one that would certainly not want a fly-by-night answer to my child's problem. I would hate to think that someone may have read your article and given up because "it's just genetic." That puts parents in a position of no control when there is so much that can be done to help these kids.
Heather Murr, Scottsdale