I am sure you are aware that the water supply in Flint, Michigan, was recently found to be contaminated with lead. Over the last few weeks, headlines were made across every major media outlet including the New York Times (NYTs) and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
The lead in Flint’s water supply is truly a disaster. Lead is a toxic metal that has been shown to be associated with multiple health conditions. We have taken great steps to lower our exposure to lead by removing it from gasoline and plumbing materials.
An article (1.26.16) in the Detroit Free Press stated that the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is holding a hearing on February 3, 2016 about the Flint water crises. I am happy this hearing will happen.
In the Free Press article, U.S. Representative Brenda Lawrence (D)—my Congresswoman–stated that she was disappointed the committee did not call Michigan’s Governor, Rick Snyder, to testify. She said, “I am deeply disappointed at the majority’s lack of commitment to a thorough and meaningful hearing. A sincere search for truth and justice requires a full review by the entire committee of the decisions and polices of all involved.”
However, the very same U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has refused to call a hearing about another health crisis—whether or not childhood vaccines cause autism.
In August, 2014, a senior CDC researcher, Dr. William Thompson came forward and sought whistleblower status by claiming that an important 2004 paper from the CDC—which found no correlation with the MMR vaccine and autism–was fraudulent. According to Dr. Thompson, the CDC researchers actually found that the MMR vaccine, when given before 36 months of age (it is presently recommended at 12-15 months and again at five years) was significantly correlated with the development of autism. However, the CDC, in a closed door meeting, altered the data to hide their findings. Furthermore, the authors of this 2004 paper were told, by their bosses at the CDC, to throw out and not disclose any information that showed a correlation of the MMR vaccine with autism.
I have written to you about this travesty many times. You can find a previous article here: http://112.196.20.91/drbrownstein/1029-2/
You would think that the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee would, upon finding out a senior CDC researcher and author of a crucial paper admitted altering and hiding data, immediately call for a hearing on the matter.
Well, you would think wrong.
The Chairman of this committee, Mr. Jason Chaffetz (R) (http://chaffetz.house.gov/) has refused to call Dr. Thompson or any of his superiors at the CDC to testify. In fact, there has been little or no news about the CDC controversy. There have been no articles in the NYTs or the WSJ or nearly any other media site except Newsmax.com.
So, one city gets poisoned by lead and this immediately makes national headlines and Congress calls a hearing within a few weeks of the incident–while the CDC hides, lies, and alters crucial data that may result in permanent neurological damage to a large population of our children and nothing happens.
Where is the outrage here? Where is Congressman Chaffetz’s call for a hearing on the whistleblower from the CDSC? Where are the articles in the WSJ, NYTs, Detroit Free Press or other major media outlets? Why don’t more doctors call for a full hearing on this matter?
A new documentary about the vaccine controversy has been released. It is 23 minutes long and should be watched by all, especially by all physicians. You can find it here: http://truthinmedia.com/cdc-vaccines-autism-coverup/
This documentary not only describes the cover-up at the CDC, it shows you how the CDC actually hid the important data that showed a marked increase in autism in children who received the MMR vaccine before 36 months of age. I will state it one more time: Everyone should watch this documentary.
After watching this video, if you are outraged (which is hard not to be), it is time to start calling Dr. Chaffetz’ office and demanding a hearing on this matter. You can call his office here: (202) 225-7751. It would take a few seconds out of your day to call and ask when the CDC whistleblower, Dr. Thompson, will be called to testify.
To my colleagues in medicine: I urge you to watch this documentary and form your own opinion. Furthermore, I encourage you to do your own research about the current childhood vaccination schedule. I have researched this topic in-depth and I can assure you that there have been no studies showing that the current schedule is safe. We are physicians–we should be demanding a full hearing on this important matter.
If we demand a hearing, it will happen. It is time to speak up and find out the truth about the CDC and whether childhood vaccines do or do not cause autism. The future of our children depends on it.
Dr. Brownstein,
I did forget to mention my daughter and I testified in Congress in 1999 on Vaccine Injuries, I facilitated the hearings.
We had an ABC reporter following us, as well as John King (CNN). President Clinton sent one of his Attorneys to the Hearing.
We attended a 2nd hearing, and had the opportunity to meet with Attorney General David Satcher. Do you know that
the Drug Companies pay Line Standers to save spots so that they can have seats in the hearing. A congressman took us in thru the back door, and seated us in the front row. At the time my daugthers story was aired on affiliates all over the country, including Lila Orbach in Detroit. You can’t destroy my childs life, without repercussions. Those were the days of home phones, and mine along with our ABC reporters lines were tapped.
Dr. Brownstein,
I read your response about kids getting vaccinated to go to Jewish Camps…you are so on target. We are originally from Michigan, my daughter went to Tamarack for many years. We moved to S.Florida when she was 11…at 14 she got the series of Hep B Vaccines to enter High School as mandated by law…she almost died with the 3rd one. She has been seen by the best doctors in the world for the past 18 years…Acquired Dysautonomia, Awarded and confirmed as a Vaccine Injury by the Government Compensation after 14 years. This destroyed our family and our finances…life this way has been longer than not. I know about the payoffs and everything it takes to get approval. Unfortunately, my daughter, and my family has suffered at all costs. Friends have died. You are welcome to contact me. Cliff Shoemaker in Vienna, Virginia is the #1 Attorney in the US for this. I have many friends that go to your practice. Please urge your partners not to vaccinate anyone…they will regret it one day…it takes only 1 patient, and is a horrible burden to carry.
Dr Brownstein,
Firstly thank you for the wonderful work you do being an advocate for all of us.
I have a man that lives next door. He is about 65 and got a flu vaccine prior to Christmas which was of course encouraged to do so by his doctor. Almost immediately afterwards he had a terrible reaction. Horrible spots all over his body. He went to urgent care, they pulled in several doctors, then ER. Long story short, he is a confirmed case of “Sweet Syndrome” from vaccines. It is very nasty like leprosy. Doctors confirmed vaccine related. He is still dealing with the condition now months after the vaccine, even after over a month on steroids, and other drugs.. . It has changed the mind of his daughter who is a nurse and everyone in our neighborhood about vaccines. I found the web site where you can download vaccine injury data from the national Vaccine Injury ” VAERS” database – It is horrifying to read – every American should search it themselves. https://vaers.hhs.gov/data/data
I read what “Another Doctor” posted. Then I went to both of the links he provided. The first one has the “retracted” superimposed over the abstract and title of the paper. Then I visited the second link where it said:
“Following the judgment of the UK General Medical Council’s Fitness to Practise Panel on Jan 28, 2010, it has become clear that several elements of the 1998 paper by Wakefield et al1 are incorrect, contrary to the findings of an earlier investigation.2 In particular, the claims in the original paper that children were “consecutively referred” and that investigations were “approved” by the local ethics committee have been proven to be false. Therefore we fully retract this paper from the published record.”
Looks like some sort of legal and procedural technicalities were used in a hearing to jerry-mander a justification to “retract” the paper (too late, it was already peer-reviewed and published.)
1/. The paper runs “contrary to the findings of an earlier investigation” and hence contradicts earlier findings. By that standard Einstein should have been put in the dock! Science is advanced by testing critiques of the staus quo. Ideas and theories stand or fall according to their correspondence with reality (which always and everywhere must be rigorously tested), not by whether they are “contrary to the findings of an earlier investigation” (remember Galileo- earlier investigations taught the Earth is flat). One suspects that the earlier findings and the special interests they support were more than well represented and appeased.
2/. What was “proven” to be false exactly? This business of a “local ethics committee” is exactly the type of political/legal/procedural technicality that can be used to suppress almost anything.
Did the authors retract their paper? Was their raw data set demonstrated to be fabrication? Was their conclusion demonstrated to be fraudulent or even merely mistaken? To demonstrate that the paper is wrong or a fraud requires exactly that be demonstrated. It clearly has not been demonstrated to either be wrong or fraudulent.
It appears that Mr Another Doctor is playing the shill here.
Sione
Dr. B,
I respect you for not giving up. It’s so hard to seek the truth. As a mom of an autistic child, I too would like answers. I believe vaccines to be to blame not entirely but of course a contributor to the crisis. I believe compromised immune systems (gut) have a lot to do with that. Vaccines provoke an immune system that is not fully developed yet. Giving a 5 pound baby that many toxins when it has just learned to breathe? One day the truth will come out and we will all be vindicated by those who attack us for speaking the truth!
Another Doctor says:
If you were a peer why won’t you identify yourself? Unfortunately I personally DO NOT BELIEVE YOU ARE A DOCTOR.
Why? I have spent several years reading sites that reveal the tactics of online trolls, specifically when it come to the vaccination controversy. You comment has hit on every “major” pat argument.
1. “I’ve just unsubscribed from your blog.” In T”wenty-Five Ways To Suppress Truth: The Rules of Disinformation this is number 2. Become incredulous and indignant.
2. You identify yourself, but not by name. profession or location but only as a doctor therefore you are using the “authority” tactic #8. Present yourself as an authority to impress to “others” that you are a peer of Dr. Brownstein.
3.”The conspiracy theories” The CIA saturated the public psyche with this meme-conspiracy theory after the Warren Commission members realized that the majority of the public was not buying into the 1 gunman theory. Here is the document instructing on the use of this meme-http://thewebfairy.com/masonic/cia_document.htm#1. The use of the words conspiracy theory is a means to discredit the commenter/writer however it has been so overused in regards to Vaccination that it has lost it’s flavor. Move on Doc.
4. The opportunity again for online trolls to insert information that nothing to do with the article or story written. This ploy is called sidetracking and misdirecting. It is a moot point because Dr. Brownstein did not mention Dr. Wakefield. However for you benefit this is what the British High Court stated of the paper that Dr. Wakefield Co-wrote;
Here is what the British High Court adjudicated in
http://www.bailii(dot)org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2012/503.html
England and Wales High Court (Administrative Court) Decision Between:
PROFESSOR JOHN WALKER-SMITH Appellant – and – GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL Respondent (Walker-Smith was part of the team of researchers on the report) Hearing dates: 13th. 14th, 15th, 16th & 17th February 2012.
It’s a long document so I will post the most important points. For those of you who will yell cherry picking, I have provided the link. Read it for yourself.
“But following the successful appeal of the paper’s senior clinical investigator – John Walker-Smith – THE GMC FINDINGS THAT SERVED AS THE BASIS FOR LANCET RETRACTION HAVE SINCE BEEN OVERTURNED.
With regard to the GMC’s false claims that the patients in the paper were not “consecutively referred”:
“157. …Thus construed, this paper does not bear the meaning put upon it by the [GMC] panel. The phrase “consecutively referred” means no more than that the children were referred successively, rather than as a single batch, to the Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology.”
Similarly, the GMC’s rulings that the children in the Lancet paper were subjects of a research project that did not gain ethical approval ALSO PROVED UNFOUNDED:
“158. …The [GMC] panel’s finding that the description of the patient population in the Lancet paper was misleading would only have been justified if its primary finding that all of the Lancet children were referred for the purposes of research as part of Project 172-96 is sustainable. Because, for the reasons which I have given, it was not, this aspect of its findings must also fall.”
The judge found only one misleading statement in the paper, but it was not because investigations undertaken were unethical experiments described as gaining ethical approval in the paper according to the now-overturned findings on which the paper’s retraction was based. On the contrary, it was because investigations in the paper were described as being ethically approved when most were clinically indicated and required no such approval, although a few investigations were ethically approved. This may require an erratum, but it does not justify keeping the paper fully retracted.
*Dr. Wakefield can defend himself. Your point as I said is moot and a distraction tactics. It is also a hit and run tactic as I’m pretty sure you will not be returning to this site to respond.
“Non-vaccination of patients eliminates herd immunity.”
Herd immunity doesn’t exist-never has. A.W. Hedrich measles observation, was not a study or a research paper and had nothing to do with VACCINES. His observation was in 1933 and the killed measles vaccine (the first measles vaccine) wasn’t developed until 1963. Herd Immunity has no basis in vaccine-induced antibody production, it is not a scientifically validated concept, it is not an immunologic idea, but rather an epidemiological construct and cannot be applied to vaccinated communities because VACCINES were not part of the OBSERVATION. This notion was built on the understanding that children developed immunity to a disease after experiencing the natural virus. Nowadays, we are told that vaccines can achieve the same. If we vaccinate the bulk of the herd, we can achieve herd immunity. Vaccinologists (a name they given themselves) adopted the phrase and increased the figure from 50% to 69% with no scientific justification as to why, and then stated that there had to be 95% vaccine coverage to achieve immunity. Essentially, they took Hedrich’s observation and manipulated it to promote their vaccination programs.
Doctor, you are not! You are a troll using multiple emotional troll tactics as provided by the the paper I presented-Twenty-Five Ways To Suppress Truth: The Rules of Disinformation. I don’t think Dr. Brownstein should waste anymore time responding to you.
Dr. B, good response to Another Doctor. His comments seem to me to be overly calculated and pre-prepared. He is likely to be a troll for the industry. When I have raised the issue of this connection of the early use of the MMR vaccine, the reaction has been generally negative. IMO, once a mother has done it they feel they must circle the wagons around their decision. This is particularly true, if their child has evidenced symptoms or developed a full blown case of autism. In those instances, the reaction immediately becomes very accusatory and ad hominem. However, I can’t remember any autism when I grew up in the late 1940s and the 1950s, even in the 1960s. The first time I actually heard about autism was in the mid-1990s. But now, it has become an industry all of itself. Risking the lives of children is way to evil for most folks to even consider, but the longer I live the more I have seen people ethically sink in pursuit of profit. I hate to think of how heartless our society has become. Keep up the good work.
As the Parent of a 25 year old son who suffers from autism, I would like to know the truth. I have certainly read enough to have my opinions. I saw it also. My Son was a normal child and then he wasn’t. Considering that there was really nothing else that happened to him at this time and nothing in our family history or use of drugs of any kind, it seems worth investigating; If for no other reason than to let parents know that they care enough to get to the bottom of this.
It would also be nice if the pro-vaccine crowd didn’t feel the need to insult anyone and everyone who calls for an investigation. I generally stay out of any conversation but I do read the comments often and it seems to be the norm that someone will always come in with vitriol. This was mild compared with most insults I see tossed around.
Brad,
We need to investigate whether vaccines cause autism and other issues. I thought investigating questions is what science is about.
DrB
The good ‘Another Doctor’ obviously did not read the article before commenting and, if he did, his reading comprehension is sorely lacking. That may explain why he responded with all of the rote-learned phrases: herd immunity, children undergoing chemotherapy, correlation does not equate causation, conspiracy. I can’t help but view it as yet one more typical ‘scripted’ response to rationalize ongoing vaccinations without question or exploration. If the good doctor was truly reading this article for insights into integrative care, would he not use the information as a springboard for conducting his own further independent research? Instead, he reacts with a closed mind. I didn’t come to post concerning the doctor, but his contradictory statements were horrifyingly glaring.
I did wish to point out that the lack of government interest in further investigating vaccine issues may stem from the fact that it receives $0.25 for each individual vaccine administered – no small amount annually, by any means -, and may account for the ambition to increase children’s, and extend to adults, mandatory schedules. This ‘tax’ or ‘fee’ was to fund the vaccine injury ‘court’ fund, but recent inquiries are finding this information is not readily available – or given – to the public. If these funds have been diverted to the ‘general operating fund’ instead, it would explain why the vaccine court’s injury definitions had been changed, accompanied by correlating decreased payouts.
I know there is a coverup about vaccines for the simple fact that it’s NEVER debated in the mainstream media. NEVER. Anyone who dares say anything against vaccines gets ridiculed or shut up immediately. I no longer fully trust any systems of government or big business. In a democracy our job is to question authority, but you often pay the price for speaking up. I just choose to get no vaccines, and I doubt everything I hear in the media. Thank God for brave men like Dr. Brownstein.
I’d like to see “Another Doctor” line up for a series of vaccinations used on the public. Check on Dr. Mercola and Dr. Whitaker’s and naturalnews.com sites–they also have touched on the dangers of vaccinations in today’s world. Also, watch the movie “Thrive” found at ThriveMovement.com–they discuss corporate greed at length. Follow the money. There is a great deal of money in all things medical. There’s a huge profit in vaccines. There have actually been a couple of movies that touched on the idea that the “bad guys” created a pandemic so they could make millions from the vaccine. I think there’s a lot of truth to that. Again, follow the money. Dr. Brownstein isn’t going to write articles that he hasn’t researched first–he does his homework. Here’s something else to wonder about: why have 13 or more alternative medicine medical professionals died in such a short time, and in the past year or so? Look up Agenda 21. The answers are out there for those who wish to be awake and aware.
Dr,
I commend your efforts to be a voice, if not, the voice. We all need (whether we understand this or not) the truth. Continue to help us be heard whether it is those in need and/or those with smaller wallets…
The government does what they do because we allow it. Children are sacrificed for the greater good. Abortion has been a successful tool for them for many years now. Why start caring now? I am glad there are still those who care enough to remind us of the atrocities going on. God help us vote in moral, caring representatives.
It is hard to believe that inquiry or investigation into any issue that concerns our health should be so easily dismissed. While I can certainly understand the physician who is unsubscribing having a difference of opinion, it is not at all surprising that he/she would then close all communication over this difference of opinion rather than be part of the important and necessary discussion and investigation that should as matter of practice. Follow this kind of behavior by the CDC. Dr. B., please continue your work and efforts to question the echo chamber– science and authority of traditional medicine. I truly appreciate the way of a warrior like yourself.
Correlation and causation – read about how this small stat class issue became the internet meme of untrained minds: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2012/10/correlation_does_not_imply_causation_how_the_internet_fell_in_love_with_a_stats_class_clich_.html
There’s more than that – look it up. That’s just a starter read.
As a conversation stopper, this is a good one. (and if you really want to make sure you end the dialogue, throw in the phrases conspiracy theory and woo-woo. Every press release makes sure it has those words in it to kill intelligent conversation before it begins.)
Has history taught us nothing? The more that the CDC and its supporters fight to shut up the call for an inquiry the more suspicious people will be. If there is nothing to hide then ket the CDC show the full story and all the documents – and the truth will out.
Perhaps we should all watch again “The Merchants of Doubt” and remind everybody of the dreadful history of cover-up. Lets not forget the vicious attacks on Rachel Carson for warning on the damage from DDT that was destroying the health of the planet for profit.
Closed doors and personal attacks aimed at individuals do not make an open government .
Peter,
All the documents are available for anyone to download and view. Go to the link for the documentary and you will see them there. Here is the same link:
http://truthinmedia.com/cdc-vaccines-autism-coverup/
To the doctor who “unsubscribed” – it is precisely this kind of closed mindedness and arrogance that gives conventional medicine and many of its doctors – it’s bad name. Dr. Brownstein is simply, but strongly, advocating inquiry into the possibility or reality of any coverup. Did I say INQUIRY?
While foregoing the details, the assertion to wash hands before delivering babies was initially treated as heresy and not
questioned with an open mind – but rather, was mocked! What surgeon in his or her right mind today would even consider scrubbing up for heart surgery or to deliver a baby without first, washing his or her hands.
I write this as a registered nurse and medical professional myself. Further, if it was YOUR child who developed autism shortly after a vaccination – I’d like to see how unemotional YOU might be! This isn’t my blog, but I assure you – your unsubscribing is no loss, but rather applauded.
My concern is that they might start mandating that ALL adults get this stuff.
Yes, our children are in danger. Must we endanger all their parents as well?
Where does it stop?
I’ve just unsubscribed from your blog. As a medical practitioner (and one of your peers), I have read your blog for helpful insights in supporting patients with integrative approaches. However, I expect that you will be as critical of the data as any scientist. Not a single resource you’ve provided here offers primary data that any of us can view to decide for ourselves if we agree or disagree. The conspiracy theories about MMR and Autism continue to swirl as data – real data, not hearsay, not quotes from self-asserted experts – continues to pile up that indicate that vaccines prevent communicable diseases that can disable and kill, and that there is no causal link between vaccines and Autism.
For the retraction, please visit this link:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(97)11096-0/abstract
For the editors’ comment on the retraction, please visit this link:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)60175-4/abstract
You of all people have been trained to know that correlation does not equal causation. What we do know is that the original paper published in the Lancet by Wakefield and his colleagues has been retracted due to the falsification of data. This was the only paper that I’m aware of that approached demonstrating a causal link between MMR and Autism. Vaccines do indeed have risks, but the risk of dying of a communicable disease if far greater than those documented for vaccination – which continue to improve by the year. Children who are undergoing chemotherapy have extremely weakened immune systems and rely on herd immunity to avoid serious illness. Non-vaccination of patients eliminates herd immunity.
People are welcome to do as they wish, and read as they wish. This is not an emotional topic, it is a scientific one. As a practitioner, I challenge you all to be critical data consumers – not an emotional ones – willing to take a critical look at all available data. Unsupported conspiracy theories on one of the most important matters with which we contend have no place, at least in my decision making. I wish you well.
Doc,
You are right, I was trying to present a scientific argument, not an emotional argument. And, this post said nothing about Wakefield. I am commenting on the CDC being accused of willfully hiding and falsifying data.
The data is supplied at the site I gave you in the post–you can review all of the thousands of documents and come to your own conclusion. This is not a conspiracy theory, it is about the data that the CDC chose to hide and not publish.
Finally, you are also correct, correlation does not equal causation. However, correlation deserves further inquiry. That is what science should be about–examining whether a correlation is true or false. In this case, we have a whistleblower saying there is something rotten in the 2004 CDC study. Why shouldn’t that claim be further examined?
DrB
I want to thank you Dr. Brownstein for always having the courage to bring these topics to light. It is so sad that the CDC has become so corrupt – these are our babies that we are trying to protect! How awful. I hope many, many doctors read your newsletter and will finally get the courage to speak out like you do.
Yes…..I am glad Flint is getting help. People have no idea about vaccines or about gluten/dairy/soy/sugar/GMO/round up etc food that tastes great is hurting them. They think vaccines help and are safe due to thinking it is the same as well they were babies. They don’t research it and assume babies can handle the vaccines. For people to call Autism “the new normal” is sad. Thanks for the link.