When a handful of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) founded SafeMinds in 2000, their goal was to raise awareness and support research regarding the associations of environmental toxins and the development of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
The founders first deliverable was a definitive work on the link between mercury and ASD, which showed that autism symptoms mirrored those of mercury poisoning. This effort, started in 1999 and completed in 2000, was key to educating the public and elected officials on the dangers of thimerosal, the form of mercury once pervasive in vaccinations, and still present in the flu and tetanus shots in the US. SafeMinds’ resulting report, “Autism: A Novel Form of Mercury Poisoning” is still recognized as a seminal document on the discourse on mercury exposure and toxicity and its effects on public health.
Over the years, members of SafeMinds have testified before Congress, published peer-reviewed scientific papers, participated in Institute of Medicine’s reports, partnered with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to sponsor a symposium, served on the National Institute of Health’s Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, participated in the Department of Defense’s congressionally-mandated Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program, as well as many other critical autism-related efforts.
SafeMinds has and will continue to serve as the bridge between science and public policy. It has served as a beacon of hope for families searching for well-researched answers. For more information, and to be kept abreast of SafeMinds research, advocacy, education, and outreach activities, sign-up for our e-newsletter (complete form at bottom of this page). Make your tax-deductible donation to SafeMinds today.
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We worked with award-winning author David Kirby for his best seller Evidence of Harm.
Participated in and formally reviewed the Institute of Medicine’s 2008 report “Autism and the Environment: Challenges and Opportunities for Research”
Partnered with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to sponsor the symposium, “Environmental Factors in Neurodevelopmental Disorders.”
Former SafeMinds board member Lyn Redwood served on the National Institute of Health’s Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
SafeMinds board members served on the Department of Defense’s congressionally-mandated Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Program
