Vaccinating your children is a decision that every parent must make shortly after the birth of their children. Most parents are led to believe that the safety of these vaccines is beyond doubt. However, few parents are convinced that these vaccines are one of the main factors responsible for autism. The United States is in the midst of a tragic autism epidemic. An analysis of U.S. Department of Education data for the period 1992-1993 compared to 2000-2001 indicates that there was an average increase of 644% among all American children. (www.autismsociety.org) Recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and Pediatrics have confirmed that the autism epidemic is real and is not due to diagnostic changes, population changes or to other factors. Along with the increase in the incidence of autism, the number of childhood vaccines containing Thimerosal was increasing. Thimerosal is an inorganic mercury compound that is metabolized to ethyl mercury and thiosalicylate and has been present since the 1930s as a preservative in some vaccines and pharmaceuticals to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination. A growing number of scientists and researchers believe there may be a link between the increase in autism disorders and the increased use of Thimerosal in vaccines. The Thiomersal controversy claims that vaccines containing the preservative Thimerosal contribute to autism and other brain developmental disorders due to high levels of mercury. (www.cdc.gov) Autism is a serious developmental disorder that usually appears at birth or sometimes within the first two and a half years of life. Most autistic children appear perfectly normal, but spend their time... middle of paper... avoiding. With proper research, a parent could prevent their child from serious reactions, or even autism. Ultimately, the choice is up to parents, but is the risk really worth it? Works Cited “Autism.” American Autism Society. April 28, 2010 http://www.autismsociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_whatcauses Gorman, Christine. “Le Temps Magazine”. Time. April 28, 2010 http://www.time.com/time/magazine/articleJenny, Prather. “Vaccines: what they don’t tell you.” Right Health January 2009: 2-6. Martin, Peggy. “Causes of autism”. Health Reports November 2008: 8-9Mike, Adams “Vaccines.” January 24, 2010: 1.Rudy, Lisa. >". About.com. 5-1-2010 http://autism.about.com/od/whatisautism/p/autismcauses.htmDye, Michael. Vaccination Deception and Tragedy. Shelby, North Carolina: Hallelujah Acres, 2006.