A recent increase in the number of autism spectrum disorder diagnoses has also highlighted the controversy that exists regarding the link between autism and vaccination. In an article published by CNN, Jenny McCarthy describes her son's recovery from autism. In it, she argues that autism is an entirely environmental disease and that vaccines are a major trigger of the disease. A Newsweek article published in 2005 discusses the search for a cure for autism, citing the many methods parents use to attempt to treat their children, including a wheat- and dairy-free diet, and a controversial treatment method which removes metals from the body called chelation. Again, it was suggested that the osteopath who prescribed these methods, Mary Ann Block, believed that vaccine toxins were the cause of autism. These claims continue to be made, despite countless studies that support the exact opposite. Two 2007 articles, one from the Duke University Medicine website and another published by CBS, state that vaccinations are not linked to autism, specifically the MMR vaccine and the preservative thimerosal that can be found in others. The CBS article cites evidence from studies of pregnant women who received the Rh vaccine, which contains thimerosal, a preservative thought to be linked to the development of autism. In the study, it was found that autistic children had no more exposure to thimerosal before birth than non-autistic children. The Dukehealth.com article also raises concerns about the resurgence of outbreaks due to lack of vaccination. An article in The Daily Beast also raises this point, as it explains how Maryland school officials are suing parents who refuse to vaccinate vaccine promoters in the middle of the paper, and corroborates the doctor's claims. states that autism is not linked to vaccination and that in fact, refusing to vaccinate your children will do them more harm than good. Works Cited Baker, JP (2007, May 3). Does the MMR vaccine cause autism? -DukeHealth.org. Retrieved November 20, 2013. Boyles, S. (May 16, 2007). Study: No link between thimerosal vaccine and autism - CBS News. Accessed November 20, 2013. Hviid, A., Stellfield, M., Wohlfahrt, J. and Melbye, M. (October 1, 2003). Association between thimerosal-containing vaccine and autism. The Journal of the American Medical Association. Kalb, C. (February 28, 2005). When does autism start? Newsweek. Kuchment, A. (November 15, 2007). Vaccinate your children – or else. The Daily Beast. McCarthy, J. and Carrey, J. (April 4, 2008). Jenny McCarthy: My son's recovery from autism - CNN.com. Retrieved November 20, 2013.