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	news bulletins december 2004

• New Evidence Suggests Link Between Mercury Exposures And Autism
• Human Rights Day, Then And Now
• Old Ally, New Name

New Evidence Suggests Link Between Mercury Exposures And Autism

Scientists Identify Trait in Autistic Children That Makes Them More Susceptible To Harm From Toxic Metals

Washington, D.C., Dec. 13 -- A year-long review by Environmental Working Group (EWG) finds that a near-universal trait in autistic children suggests a possible link between autism and children's exposure to mercury. EWG's review corresponds with the publication of a new study by Dr. Jill James of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. James served for fourteen years as a senior research scientist with the Food and Drug Administration and is currently Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

In a paper published this week in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, James and her colleagues identified a signature metabolic profile in autistic children that strongly suggests that these children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of mercury and other toxic chemicals.

The EWG study finds that autistic children have a common weakened ability to protect themselves from the effects of small amounts of toxic metals in their bodies. This trait appears as a severe deficit of active glutathione in autistic children when compared to healthy children. Glutathione is a potent antioxidant that is the body's most important tool for detoxifying and excreting toxic metals.
While a review published earlier this year by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine concluded that available science showed no mercury-autism link, it left open the possibility that vaccines preserved with mercury might trigger autism in a small subset of susceptible children. The new study by James and her colleagues examines precisely the issue of susceptibility in a small subpopulation.
The findings raise serious concerns about autistic children's overall exposure to environmental contaminants. Mercury is of particular significance because of its proven toxicity to the developing brain and nervous system, and its documented high exposures from a variety of sources such as canned tuna, dental fillings and vaccines preserved with mercury-based thimerosal.

This study significantly strengthens the possibility that mercury is linked to autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. It also points to a subgroup within the population that may be vulnerable to a number of environmental contaminants.
"The autism epidemic is alerting us to the importance of individual susceptibility to environmental pollutants," said Richard Wiles, senior vice president of EWG. "Environmental safeguards that protect a theoretical 'average' person still leave thousands at risk. Increased understanding of susceptibility will provide the basis for stronger health policies that truly protect the most vulnerable."

Source: http:// www.ewg.org

Human Rights Day, Then And Now

December 10, 1948: the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Drafted in response to the horrors of World War II, the declaration was a groundbreaking international agreement. It outlines and upholds 'the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family' as 'the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.' As members of the UN, the US agreed to the conditions and signed the declaration.

December 10, 2004: the 56th anniversary of what has come to be known as Human Rights Day; the US stands accused of war crimes by MADRE. For 21 years, this international women's human rights organization has worked in partnership with women's community-based groups in conflict-ridden areas worldwide to build real alternatives to war and violence. Dedicated to informing Americans about the effects of US policies on communities around the world, they have issued a statement documenting specific recent human rights violations, committed by US military forces in Iraq. Click here to read MADRE's detailed statement, and to learn more about their ongoing efforts to promote peace and justice, and to protect human rights for women and families around the globe.

Sources:
www.madre.org
www.un.org

Old Ally, New Name

To reflect its growing membership and commitment to positive action, the coalition formerly known as Stop Commercial Exploitation of Children (SCEC) has renamed itself the Campaign For A Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC).

Learn more about the name change and what CCFC is doing, by clicking here to visit their brand new website. Clearly designed, loaded with good information and easy to navigate, the site also includes some exciting new features such as printable fact sheets about marketing to children.

While there, check out details and registration information for CCFC's upcoming summit: Consuming Kids: How Marketing Undermines Children's Health, Values & Behavior. The country's leading activists and scholars will be gathering to discuss the commercialization of childhood and what we can do to stop it. Network. Find out how you can help!

Source: The Campaign For a Commercial-Free Childhood, www.commercialfreechildhood.org