MERCURY AND AUTISM

Children with and without autism have similar levels of mercury in their blood stream, according to a study published this week in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

The study is not an examination of whether mercury plays a role in causing the disorder. A variety of sources of mercury in the patient's environments were looked at, including fishing consumption, personal-care products, vaccinations, and dental fillings.

It's time to abandon the idea that a single 'smoking gun' will emerge to explain why so many children are developing autism. The evidence suggests that, without taking account of both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, the story will remain incomplete.