John - I'm glad that you are neither mad, nor sitting around waiting. I suppose I don't see forgiveness as only a religious ideology, and I guess I don't think that the role of forgiveness should or needs to be put aside when trying to achieve institutional progress. I think it can play a useful role in instigating institutional change. Institutions are comprised of people, ergo . . .

I suspect Kent has found a very meaningful comparison to what happened in South Africa, otherwise I don't think he would have mentioned it. So many different forms of freedom and oppression, but people having to get through it all the same. I hope we hear more about it from him.

In the meantime, nice article, Kent! I'd love a bumper sticker that says "Save the scientists!" - as they seem to be under their very own set of environmental stressors.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/michael-kruse/new-microbiomeautisim-stu_b_3574651.html

Here is Kause and his take on all the recent finding on the humam microbiome.

"While it is understandable that the public is interested in the ongoing story of why ASD patients have so many problems with their gut and diet, we cannot leap beyond the conclusions from one study and overgeneralise. This study, like any good science, leaves us with more questions than answers. Is there a connection between neurological symptoms and Prevotella? Is the decreased incidence of Prevotella predictive of ASD? Is the severity of GI symptoms really connected to the severity of ASD? Does the ASD cause the change in the microbiome, or does the microbiome cause ASD, or are both conditions interconnected in multiple ways? Is there a genetic link between the ASD child and the microbiome and how is the microbiome of the child related to his or her immediate family

What we do know is this will continue to be an active area of study for a long time to come, and Wakefield will still be left out in the cold."

I know if you write too long -- we all cross our eyes here -- but that is what is out there!

This guy hates Dr. Wakefield.

Jenny ----- I am going to have to think on what you said a bit more. My take on it though is that Forgiveness must be asked for --- before it can be received or given. To ask for forgiveness means that person makes an effort to stop the behavior -- as in alcholics.

So that leaves us victims in a pickle -- we must not forget - we must not stop being aware, we must be ever watchful -- but we must not let hate destroy or maime us -- we cannot allow these people to makes us sick.

but that is not forgiveness - at least I don't think so?

John, I respectfully disagree with you on the need for certain conditions or acknowledgement before forgiveness can be given. In a recent Bible study I participated in, pretty much everyone agreed to the contrary, that there will be plenty of times in life where the person who you feel wronged you will never ever admit it, which means sometimes forgiveness will be a one way street, for the benefit of the one doing the forgiving, allowing them to move forward to a faster or more productive way to achieve their goal(s) in life.

If those in the autism movement stand still and just wait for those in the current decision making paradigm to say they are sorry, they will be waiting a long time and wasting a lot of time. The best and brightest scientists, who were hoodwinked into thinking their efforts would only benefit mankind when in fact they were misused solely for others' profit with no regard for human consequences, might just need some forgiveness to move beyond the reach of corruption and serve as beacons to others still riding the fence, to know that their new-found wisdom and bravery will be welcomed and appreciated. Who knows but what if there is or could be an organization of privately funded scientists & whistle blowers who want and need to work for a reputable cause and to know their science won't be corrupted AND will be used. What would their incentive be to continue researching for maybe less money than they make at universities & corporations, if they feel they are still condemned and ostracized, despite the risks they take to right their lives. If money and job stability are the incentives profiteering corporations provide, what are the counter-incentives that autism families could provide scientists that would be equally valuable?

I am not saying the purposefully bad should remain beyond the reach of consequences either now or in the future, but to err is human, and there is also room for forgiveness in many cases prior to any acknowledgement, and I would go so far to say that sometimes forgiveness on the part of one LEADS to acknowledgement of wrongdoing on the part of the other, paving the way for new paths. Just like autism itself, they will need to be considered on a case by case basis, not in a one size fits all mentality.

Kent, in The Band Played On, some researchers trying to find a cause and a cure for AIDS had first to fight the institutions that employed them, in particular the NIH and the CDC. Courageously, they paid a price. Different plague now, autism, but a similar fight today.

To the unsung heroes battling a fear-and-greed driven system without and within, whose names cannot be used, thank you.

From the book-jacket sleeve of David L. Lewis book "Science For Sale .. how the US Government uses powerful corporataions and leading universities to support government policies, silence top scientists, jeopardize our health, and protect corporate profits":

"Organizations dealing with scientific integrity are designed only to weed out those who commit fraud behind the backs of the institutions where they work. The greatest threat of all is the purposeful corruption of the scientific enterprise by the institutions themselves. The science they create is often only an illusion, designed to deceive; and the scientists they destroy to protect that illusion are often our best."

Kent .. I eagerly look forward to your coming book .. as I am sure it will greatly advance the examination of science in our great nation .. and .. God knows .. our nation truly needs it.