Dear Mr. MacNamee,
We are writing in response to your article, “HSE staff member accused of feeding their child bleach solution ´to cure´ autism.” We would like to thank you for raising awareness about an important issue facing not only Irish families, but families worldwide, which is the administration of bleach (via any orifice) to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As a science advocate, the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) alerts people about the dangers of purported “treatments” that are not only ineffective, but potentially harmful or even lethal, like Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS).
In your article you aptly highlight the positions statements against the use of bleach therapy, clarifying that MMS is an “unauthorized medicine” in Ireland and that the administration of bleach is “roundly contested by scientists.” This statement from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is particularly important: “Miracle Mineral Solution contains sodium chlorite. No medicine for human use containing sodium chlorite and/or chlorine dioxide has been approved by the HPRA or to our knowledge, any other medicines regulator. In addition, we are not aware of any validated scientific evidence that supports the medicinal use of MMS.” As the intent of regulatory bodies such as HPRA is to protect the public from harm, their lack of support combined with lack of scientific evidence backing MMS make those ingesting it nothing more than guinea pigs.
Sadly, we face organizations that sell ineffective and harmful products, relying only on testimonials and suspension of disbelief, promising miracles to families in vulnerable situations. Who wouldn’t be drawn to a “treatment” with “Miracle” in its name? If it were named for what it truly is, “a solution of water mixed with small amounts of bleach,” would people be just as likely to try it? This word play is one of the tricks of the trade for those preying on the vulnerable, and many families rely on journalists such as yourself to expose this reality. There is no miracle cure for autism. In fact, there is no cure at all. But there is hope for helping people with autism live the best lives they can. That hope is in science. The website of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment has many resources for families who would like more exposure to the realities of effective and ineffective treatment, and may be of interest to your readers. Your readers may also be interested in another recent ASAT Media Watch response on bleach therapy, and the links related therein.
Again, thank you for your article. Initiatives like yours help build savvy consumers, keep science at the forefront of effective treatment, and bring dignity to those with autism spectrum disorder.
Sincerely,
Amanda Bueno, BS, BCaBA and Renee Wozniak, PhD, BCBA-D
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
