Why would you believe that thimerisol and not older fathers and older maternal grandfathers cause autism?

Question

They were also born after the age of fathers went up. Since 1980 there has been a 50% increase in the number of men fathering babies 35-60++.

jenncarp,
Is there a family history of autoimmune disorders, ASDs, schizophrenia, OCD, alcohol and excess coffee consumption,or military exposure to chemicals, in the families without a paternal or grandpaternal age connection?

Answer 1

The thimerisol theory has been debunked for years.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsiwGnJOZJcu4FUNmNbFEtjty6IX?qid=20070218230910AAm8ryn&show=7#profile-info-HWRCqhYoaa

The Parental Age theory is a good theory with some studies backing it up ( http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/10/021018080014.htm ) , but it is still just a theory - so far.

And Parental age isn't necessarily the whole picture. It could be that parental age makes a child highly vunerable to becoming autism, but another trigger is needed.

But age of the father seems to have been a factor in my brother's case. My brother had 4 kids, 2 with autism. And the two autistic kids were born when he was older, therefore at higher risck for having an autistic child.

Answer 2

Do you even know anyone who has a child with autism? Autism is booming and parents and physicians are working on any and all hypothesis for what causes Autism. The "older fathers and grandfathers" argument doesnt hold up for someone who doesnt have any "older father or grandfather." And it is Thimerosal BTW.

Answer 3

Actually.. I think it has alot to do with Television when they are infants. Autism went boom in the 80's the same time children's television programs became popular.