Evidence of Harm
Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic A Medical Controversy
by David Kirby

$14.95 - Softcover - 491 pages

In the 1990s, autism in American children began spiking, from 1 in 10,000 in 1987 to a shocking 1 in 166 today. In this period, two series of shots containing a mercury-based preservative called Thimerosal were added to the nation's already crowded vaccination schedule. Some parents suddenly noticed their healthy children descending into silent, disturbed, and physically ill autism soon after receiving vaccinations. Ignored or dismissed by the FDA and the CDC, they discovered that children were being exposed to mercury at very young ages—even before birth—at levels far exceeding federal regulations.

Evidence of Harm explores both sides of this controversy, which has pitted families against the federal government, public health agencies, doctors and researchers, and powerful pharmaceutical giants. This disturbing, important book examines both the personal stories of families and the unfolding political drama in the courts and halls of Congress.

"An engrossing David and Goliath story... This is the book for concerned parents to read. It's accessible in its handling of medical topics and compelling in its recounting of the parents' fight."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Read this book! Kirby's superb, even-handed account is fascinating and compelling."
—Dr. Bernard Rimland,
Director of the Autism Research Institute 
and founder of the Autism Society of America

"Well-researched... This is an issue that will not go away."
—Financial Times

"Kirby does an admirable job of clarifying most of the scientific background. He makes the unassailable point that American health agencies lagged in calculating the amount of mercury being injected into babies."
—The New York Times book Review