Did Merthiolate play an early role in Autism?

by Rod Van Mechelen
Posted August 27, 2007 4:55AM PDT

I went through the autistic transition in 1956. But I was not diagnosed with Asperger's disorder until 2002.

My experience leads me to conclude that Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have been more common for much longer than is commonly believed. In retrospect, I can see that in my grade school of less than 300 students there were at least 3 of us with ASD during the years from 1959 to 1965.

Was there a link to childhood vaccinations?

Not according to my mother, who insists that I did not have any vaccinations before age 6. If that's true, and I'm not sure it is, then what could have caused my ASD? Genetics is the answer a lot of people want. If mercury poisoning was proven to be the sole cause, then millions more children would get it. So genetics must be a factor.

But assuming there is a causal connection between mercury toxicity and ASD, how was I exposed to it?

Mom had Mercury Amalgam fillings. It has been very well established for more than 100 years that Mercury Amalgam fillings are toxic. A May 2001 article in Life Extension Magazine documents that as Amalgam fillings deteriorate, they release mercury vapor, which is absorbed into the blood. Bad news in any case, but particularly when it happens to an expectant mother.

Merthiolate an early cause?

The more likely culprit, in my opinion, however, is Merthiolate. In 1929 Merthiolate was the registered trade name for Thiomersal (Thimerosal). Here's what it says on Wikipedia about it:

Eli Lilly and Company registered the compound under the trade name Merthiolate in 1929. It was used to kill bacteria and prevent contamination in antiseptic ointments, creams, jellies, and sprays used by consumers and in hospitals. Thiomersal was used in e.g. nasal sprays, eye drops, contact lens solutions, immunoglobulins, and vaccines.—Thiomersal, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My parents used Merthiolate. A lot. On themselves and on us, daubing it directly on every scratch, scrape, cut and open wound.

So from conception to birth and beyond, we were exposed to Thiomersal well before our childhood vaccinations. That could be what triggered ASD for me and other members of my generation.

Evolutionary Autism?

Personally, I would prefer to find out that ASD is entirely genetic in origin. Such a finding could suggest an evolutionary change. Given that ASD can confer certain advantages, for it to be evolutionary would make the high cost endured from the disadvantages worthwhile.

But if it can be demonstrated that the quantity of Thiomersal absorbed through multiple sources does cause ASD, then to say that millions of people will be upset with Eli Lilly would be an understatement of epic proportions.

So Eli Lilly and others have an interest in proving it's caused by something else. I wish them luck.