Posted on the Pediatric SuperSite on April 20, 2009
New advocacy group focuses on non-vaccine-related autism research
The Autism Science Foundation, a new not-for-profit
organization dedicated to supporting and funding autism research, has launched
it’s operations, debuting its website and kicking off its “First 100
Days” fundraising drive.
The organization is co-founded by Alison Singer, former
executive vice president of Autism Speaks, and Karen London, co-founder of the
National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR). Both Singer and London are
parents of children with autism. Singer will serve as president of the new
organization.
Singer resigned from Autism Speaks in January of this
year, citing disagreement with the group’s decision to continue to fund
more vaccine research despite multiple scientific studies exonerating vaccines
as a cause of autism.
In a press release, officials with ASF said their
mission is to support autism research by providing funding and other assistance
to scientists and organizations conducting, facilitating, publicizing and
disseminating autism research. The organization will also provide information
about autism to the general public.
Foundation founders said their mission is premised on
the following facts and principles:
- Autism is known to have a strong genetic component. Research must aim
to discover the mechanisms of action that trigger autism, as well as safe,
effective and novel treatments to enhance the quality of life for children and
adults currently affected.
- Early diagnosis and early intervention are critical to helping people
with autism reach their potential, but educational, vocational and support
services must be applied across the lifespan. Science has a critical role to
play in creating evidence-based, effective lifespan interventions.
- Numerous studies have failed to show a causal link between vaccines
and autism. Vaccine safety research should continue to be conducted by the
public health system to ensure vaccine safety and maintain confidence in the
national vaccine program, but further investment of limited autism research
dollars is not warranted at this time.
“As we attempt to understand the causes of autism,
and to develop optimal treatment programs, it is critical that parents have
access to information that is based upon the best medical evidence,” David
T. Tayloe Jr., MD, president of the AAP said in the release. “We welcome
the chance to work closely with the Autism Science Foundation to improve the
lives of children diagnosed with autism.”
To learn more about the Autism Science Foundation, visit
www.autismsciencefoundation.org.
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