David Kirby, the Brooklyn-based investigative journalist and author of The New York Times bestseller, Evidence of Harm, Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic A Medical Controversy, will discuss recent developments in the continuing debate about the connection between vaccines and autism on Thursday, June 26, 2008, from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at New York University School, 40 Washington Square South (between Macdougal and Sullivan Streets) in Tishman Auditorium of Vanderbilt Hall. Subways: A, B, C, D, E, F, V (West 4th Street). The event is free and open to the public, but attendees must RSVP to kirbylecture@gmail.com.
Kirby, a former contributor to The New York Times and a regular writer for The Huffington Post, will discuss the following:
- a recent case in the U.S .Vaccine Court in which the federal government conceded that vaccines induced autism in one girl and updates on other cases in the court;
- growing evidence of a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and autistic regression, and case studies of several ASD children with mitochondrial issues;
- state-of-the-art research underway at top universities on the connection between environmental toxins, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, glutathione depletion, neuro-inflammation and autistic encephalopathy;
- declarations by the presidential candidates that autism is an epidemic and calling for more research into vaccines and mercury as possible causes; and
- recent studies linking ASD risk with heavy metals and other contaminants in air pollution.
Mary Holland, Director of NYUs Graduate Legal Skills Program, will moderate the Q&A session.
Evidence of Harm debuted on The New York Times bestseller list in 2005 and is still widely read today. It won the Investigative Reporters and Editors Award in 2005 for Best Book. Kirby has appeared on NBCs Meet the Press, CNNs Larry King Live, NBCs The Today Show, MSNBCs Imus in the Morning, CNN Headline News, Air America, and hundreds of other radio and television stations around the world. He has been invited to speak at the U.S. Federal Claims Courts Judicial Conference in November in Washington, D.C.
More information about Evidence of Harm is available at www.evidenceofharm.com. Mr. Kirbys Huffington Post essays may be viewed at www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby.
Kirby is available for media interviews before and during his visit. Please contact him directly at dkirby@nyc.rr.com.
Reporters interested in attending the discussion must contact Jason Casell at 212.998.6849 or jason.casell@nyu.edu.