In phased biomarker development, this is Phase 1. In Phase 2, we line up all the putative biomarkers, lifestyle, genetics, demographics, and in this case MEDICAL RECORDS to see if in training sets (cases vs. controls) we can learn PREDICTION MODELS that we test with independent test sets (cases and controls not included in the model training). We then use multicenter validation trials. Part of the issue, however, is that the biomarkers are AFTER diagnosis. We are focused on biomarkers to predict risk pre-diagnosis, pre-vaccination. Great summary Ginger. JLW

Thank you all for your comments. David F., thank you but please hold back on future references to me as a sort of messiah or savior. First, I am far too "normal" a person to sustain a public image as aggrandized as your comment here represents. Second, I am standing on the shoulders of GIANTS. There are people who have been at this far, far longer than I. I dare not mention them because I don't want to leave anyone out. As I see it, I merely doing only what any objective scientist should do: being open-minded, considering the totality of the science in an area. Defending Science as a human endeavor only comes with the territory when she is under attack. Also, many of the flaws in Zerbo et al were immediately recognized by numerous informed moms. Academics and scientists do not have a monopoly on logic, nor on virtue. The autism families are my inspiration.