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Augh! Writing that title almost made me gag.
But a new article on the University of California, San Francisco site claims that neuroscientist Michael Merzenich has performed research that may make some leaning toward formula fulling tip over the edge.
Merzenich tested newborn rats by dosing them with the proportionally even amount that newborn humans get from human breastmilk of the chemicals PCBs and PBDEs. The outcome, he said, was
brains that were more degraded in their organization developmentally in these rats than we have ever seen before
So it’s as simple as that, eh? Breastmilk causes autism. Not so fast, there, Nestle.
Merzenich made it clear that these tests were on rats, not people. And it’s not so easy as cause and effect. There are a few things that he was concerned about, but brings these worries forward “with trepidation”:
In general our study adds to the worry and it really indicates that it’s in the great public interest to determine quickly whether or not these chemical poisons…are adding to the risk of onset of these developmental disorders. Because if they are this is a big thing.
The consequence of adding the PCB poisoning to simulating what we believed to be the factors that are contributing to the onset of these developmental disorders, autism and related disorders, had devastating additional consequences. So we saw brains that were more degraded in their organization developmentally in these rats than we have ever seen before.
What are these chemicals again? PCBs have long been banned, but PBDEs are their chemical cousins. They’re flame retardants and are found in everything from pajamas to mattresses to electronics. When these are sent to the dump, the chemicals enter the water system and go into the land. They start off low in the food chain until they reach humans in higher levels. American women have the highest levels in the world.
Dr. Merzenich also called some attention to the rise in cases of autism spectrum disorder and tied it to the rise in breastfeeding rates of the past 30 years, as though in that case correlation is causation. He said that yes, PCBs and PBDEs “bioaccumulate” (so meat-eaters are disproportionately affected). But he also wondered whether our success at getting women to breastfeed has increased the rate of ASD and related disorders, especially for those who are genetically predisposed. Obviously, toxins will pass from mama’s body to her baby.
Still, over and over, Dr. Merzenich reiterated: breastfeeding is good. Women should breastfeed.
This is a positive and good and healthy thing…
So all of the wonderful good and positive reasons for nursing your baby, those are all real, those are all terrific, they are all for the good of the baby unequivocally. It’s very hard to speak against that or be discouraging about that but, on the other hand, there is the possibility that in nursing you actually increase the risk of a bad outcome in this respect.
He stresses that further research is needed and has called on the CDC and the Autism Foundation to study the matter further, if possible on humans and not rats.
Image: snaulkter on Flickr under a Creative Commons License.
Hat tip: About.com’s Autism Blog.
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You mix formula (made in a FACTORY where it can easily be contaminated) with water, right? And it is my understanding that WATER contains far more toxins than breastmilk. Its been all over the news recently – antibiotics, drugs, lead, etc. in the water. So how in the world can this doctor suggest that’s somehow more pure than breastmilk?
As a mom of two children on the autism spectrum, studies like this drive me wonky!! Breast is best…PERIOD. I find fault in studies that lay blame on the mother for their child’s autism (except in the case of genetics).
Have preterm labor and take terbutaline – your child’s autism is your fault…
Have mercury fillings – your child’s autism is your fault…
Not eat a 100% organic, vegan diet while pregnant – your child’s autism is your fault…
You get the idea.
Great post Cate!
I think what the doctor is saying is that these chemicals store up in our systems over time and increase as we are exposed, where as with water (most tap water is far less toxic than you may have heard. NYC has some of the cleanest is the world) the levels are potentially lower. Also, the water treatment plants may be able to filter out those chemicals from the water whereas our exposure to the chemicals is less about drinking water that it is in and more about our combined daily exposure through all of he products we have that are off gassing and leaching these chemicals onto and into our bodies.
Perhaps the real answer here is that women should have their bodies tested for abnormally high levels of certain chemicals, metals, etc prior to conceiving. That way they can work with their doctor and team of wellness professionals to lower their levels and ensure their own health AS WELL AS the health of their baby.
Very good summary and I’m glad it’s not quick to condemn him just because this is a pretty controversial result.
And I think everything Michele said makes sense too.
Kblogger, no one said he’s blaming mothers. If you read his research he’s blaming pollutants in the environment. That’s not your fault, that’s the fault of those who have polluted the environment. Really it would be quite an unbelievable tragedy if our continual destruction of the environment were to cause something as natural as breastfeeding to be potentially problematic.
This study is v. frustrating to all of us, I’m sure. I simply don’t want people to turn to chemical-laden formula because they think it’s “healthier” or “safer”. And you know? I don’t think that Dr. Merzenich wants that, either. But he couldn’t exactly sit on these results, and it is important that we are avidly protecting our environment.
@Melissa–I totally feel for your frustration. There’s always a new study coming out. I’m sure you follow ASD news and studies even better than I do, and it’s like watching the development of a new field. –>Researchers scratch heads. Start to perform studies. Publicize every single one. Becoming clear that these are only puzzle pieces in a HUGE picture, and we’re just working on the corner of it right now.
Moms are certainly not to blame. And WTF?! We all STILL know breast is best and the most natural way to feed our children.
But yes, I did gag typing that title.
You know, aside from everything else that makes this study totally wacky… I’m part of the rat fancy, and I know a lot about rats, and rats can not get autism. It doesn’t exist in rodent species. So how on earth does a study on rats come to this conclusion? O_o