Prior to 1999, It Was Claimed That a Thimerosal Additive

question 38

Essay

Prior to 1999, it was claimed that a thimerosal additive in vaccines was contributing to the rising incidence of autism.If the claims were true, what resultant trend might you expect to observe in the rate of autism once thimerosal was removed from vaccines?

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Definitions:

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent organisms or as parasites, with some causing diseases and others being beneficial.

Heterotrophic

Describes organisms that obtain their energy by consuming other organisms, as they cannot synthesize their own food.

Multicellular

Describes organisms made up of more than one cell, often with cells specialized for different functions.

Cell Wall

The structure outside the plasma membrane of certain cells; may contain cellulose (plant cells), chitin (most fungal cells), peptidoglycan and/or lipopolysaccharide (most bacterial cells), or other material.