United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Statement on Vaccines, Autism and Mitochondrial Disease

PITTSBURGH, March 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Statement from Chuck Mohan, executive director and CEO of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation on reports of possible links between childhood vaccinations and mitochondrial diseases:

"There are no scientific studies documenting that childhood vaccinations cause or worsen mitochondrial diseases, but there is very little scientific research in this area. Mitochondrial diseases are as prevalent as childhood leukemia, however the National Institutes of Health devotes only $11 million a year to research into mitochondrial disorders and only about one-third of that is earmarked for primary mitochondrial disease research. Many scientists believe unmasking the causes of mitochondrial disease may lead to possible cures for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, heart disease and cancer."