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New Research Links Autism & Environment
Necessary News
Thursday, July 07, 2011
By Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, Executive Director & CEO, Healthy Child Healthy World:
A new scientific study linking autism to environmental exposures has rocked the pediatric health care community—including Healthy Child Healthy World. Just last month, I introduced the newest article in our “Perspectives” series, featuring contributions from members of our advisory boards, as well as prominent organizations and members of the scientific community, by referencing a group of experts who agreed that “there is no clear data on why autism occurs.”
That was then, this is now.
On Monday, the story broke that researchers at the University of California at San Francisco and Stanford University conducted a study of 192 pairs of twins and found that genetics account for about 38 percent of the risk of autism, and environmental factors account for about 62 percent. The study will be published in November in the November issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
To say that this is important is an understatement. Over the past 48 hours, resulting stories in the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle and countless other online publications reported the newly discovered link between the environment and autism.
Experts predict that the data will result in a seismic shift in perception of the disability, which now affects one in every 100 children—or one in every 70 boys. Autism is America’s fastest growing disability—increasing nearly 400% over the last 20 years—and now affects an estimated 1.5 million children in the United States alone.
“This pivotal study underlines an important truth for our times: the dramatic increase in autism we've experienced is indeed linked to environmental exposures,” says Dr. Alan Greene, author, pediatrician and Healthy Child Advisory Board Member. “The closer we look, the more we're understanding this link to be true for many rapidly increasing childhood conditions. We've ignored toxic chemicals in kids' environments to their peril.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Meanwhile, a study published this month in the journal Epidemiology showed that taking prenatal vitamins at the time of conception decreased the risk of autism in children by almost half, Environmental Health News reported. This is another critical study emphasizing how small lifestyle changes can have huge impacts.
After decades of playing the blame game, it’s exciting to see some positive and proactive news related to this devastating disorder.
Posted by x on 07/19/2011 at 07:24 AM
Ian Lacklin,
Correlation DOES NOT equal causation. Your words are also very harsh and disrespectful.
Posted by Lynn on 07/18/2011 at 11:41 AM
The term “environment” in scientific studies includes everything that is not related to the DNA. So environment is an all inclusive word that includes vaccinations, water, air, chemical, etc.
Posted by Ian Jacklin on 07/16/2011 at 11:27 AM
http://interactivetimeline.com/653/causation-timeline/?w=320
This is the time line for increase in vaccines. To any pro-vaccers put this in your pipes and smoke it!
Posted by Janelle Sorensen on 07/15/2011 at 11:45 AM
A - They only examined genetic factors in this study and through deduction identified what percentage of cases were environmentally induced. Research is underway on a variety of neurotoxicants like pesticides to find out if they play a role in autism. Here’s another article that explores some of the lifestyle/environmental risks potentially linked to autism:
http://www.examiner.com/dc-in-national/studies-environmental-factors-during-pregnancy-may-increase-risk-of-autism
Posted by Ian Jacklin on 07/14/2011 at 09:36 PM
Hold on now. This can be misleading cause you are saying environment? Ah no!!! It’s linked to vaccinations and anyone that hasn’t got this through their heads yet is brainwashed by big pharma. It’s real simple. Look at the stats! Polio went up when the vaccine came out! Autism went up in direct proportion to the vaccinations going up! Wake up folks. You are lowering your child’s IQ and possibly giving them a one way ticket to autism and slew of other health problems. Environment my butt!
Posted by A on 07/13/2011 at 01:47 PM
It would be nice if they told us which toxic chemicals were linked to Autism.
Posted by Kimball Sargent on 07/10/2011 at 11:08 PM
We have to make changes in our environments. It is the health of our children which is the future of our world that is at stake.
Posted by stephanie on 07/10/2011 at 12:55 PM
interested in possible correlation of environment and higher incidence of autism/aspergers.
Posted by Shaunnesy Rodriguez on 07/08/2011 at 01:30 PM
We are so blessed to be partnered with Healthy Child Healthy World. I would be glad to share information about how the Nikken Wellness Home is making a difference in the lives of our children.
Video: http://youtu.be/IIE5RnpzXms
God Bless,
Shaunnesy Rodriguez
210-300-1112
Posted by Janet on 07/08/2011 at 11:41 AM
It’s about time. I’ve been saying for years that autism is most likely linked to environment causes.
Posted by Suzanne on 07/08/2011 at 09:29 AM
This is why I do what I do each and every day. Chemicals are doing such damage to our world and to our children, and we need to find ways to reduce our exposure to these toxins!
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Posted by Ian Jacklin on 07/20/2011 at 01:09 PM
And yes Lynn I realized that afterwards. But thank you. I’m still anti-vac in case you can’t tell.