Institute of Medicine Conference to Debate Autism and the Environment; Your Input Requested
Monday April 16, 2007
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is one of the nation's most prestigious research organizations. Its research studies are often the basis for federal policy decisions. Up until now, it has been a conservative voice in the field of autism research, which is part of the reason why federal funds for autism research have stayed away from projects linking autism to the environment. So... members of the autism community may be interested in the following announcement :
On April 18th and 19th, 2007 the Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders will be hosting a workshop, entitled: “Autism and the Environment: Challenges and Opportunities for Research.” This workshop is being organized in response to a request from the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and will be hosted in collaboration with the IOM’s Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine.Unfortunately, I've just learned about this event - and it's too late to get seats. There is time, however, to add written evidence to the conversation:The workshop will feature presentations and discussions on strategies for research focusing on the potential relationship between autism and an array of environmental exposures. This will be a stand-alone workshop and is not part of an ongoing study by the IOM.
We welcome the variety of perspectives offered in order to help make this a highly productive workshop and look forward to valuable contributions and discussions. The workshop will be a public meeting with opportunities for public input, both formal and informal. To provide information to the planning committee in written form, please send an email to neuroforum@nas.edu.The workshop will be audiocast live with interactive capabilities in its entirety and will be available on this website to listen to shortly after the workshop concludes. Following the meeting, PowerPoint presentations will also be posted.
Will you add your voice to the conversation? If so (or even if you don't write to the IOM directly) - what would you like the medical Powers That Be to know about autism and the environment? Share your thoughts!
Comments
If the Institute of Medicine actually wanted our comments, they would have solicited them more than 2 or 3 days beforehand.
It looks too much like what it is.
would like more information
The IOM and many other agencies have had access to government information indicating a causal association between thimerosal and neurotoxicity for years.
They choose to do nothing. There is a large amount of litigation and money at stake.
Nothing will come of this workshop. Not because “we didn’t try”.
I say “Show us evidence that Thimerosal (ethylmercury) is safe, and we will show you evidence it is not.”
CATCH 22.
Over time, the government and pharmeceutical companies will slowly develop another preservative for non-live virus vaccines, and/or re-adjust the National Vaccination Program requirements, and this epidemic will disappear under the rug. Many, many years from now.
They have all the time they need.
We cannot provide EVIDENCE within acceptable scientific guidelines.
In the meantime….?
-DEVIN’S MOM
What amazes me is that suddenly, autism is the “IN” disorder/disease right now. We’ve been grappling with it for years and it’s been around for decades (at least), but until celebs get involved, no one sees it as a cause to fight for.
No one really cares what we as individuals struggling with this daily think as long as they can at least look as if they are trying to help us. Hollywood isn’t the only place it’s all about appearances…
Why the hell didn’t these guys and gals fish for input before hosting this workshop.
They wouldn’t even bother if autism wasn’t the trendy cause celeb right now.
I don’t want to wait till the end of Summer
, I want it now. Who with me?
save your time and join me.
About
The 16th Mediterranean Conference on Control and Automation, MED’08, will be held for the first time in Ajaccio, France, at the Congress Centre from June 25-27, 2008. Ajaccio is situated on the French island, Corsica. The Greeks were the first to discover the beautiful island of Ajaccio, naming it “kalliste” (old greek) meaning ‘the beautiful’. Ajaccio was founded in 1492 as a Genoan town. Corsica was at that time under the authority of the Genoan Bank of Saint George. The great war general, Napoleon Bonaparte was born in the little town which is steeped in Napoleonic history and memorabilia. Surrounded by an admirable cirque of mountains, elegant and radiant Ajaccio welcomes delighted visitors to its sunny shores. From the top of its citadel’s ramparts, Ajaccio has kept the purity of its shores intact, shores, which are said to be amongst the most beautiful in the world. Through the alleys of the old town, discover its Napoleonic history, its prestigious museums, and the daily market full of different flavours…