Robert Nataf

Robert Nataf is a French chemist and the director and founder of the Laboratoire Philippe Auguste in Paris, known for his controversial 2006 study proposing an association between childhood autism and environmental toxins, particularly mercury.[1][2][3] Nataf had originally told parents that he had a paper in press at The Lancet Neurology, but the Lancet's editors denied the existence of any such paper, and Nataf declined to clarify the situation when asked to comment.[4] Nataf has promoted the notion that mercury toxicity may be a cause of autism at various conferences, such as at the United States Autism and Asperger Association's annual conference.[5] He has also, along with Mark Geier, conducted further research regarding the potential link between mercury toxicity and autism, as manifested in differences in the levels of certain urinary porphyrins.[6] However, Kevin Leitch of the blog LeftBrainRightBrain has questioned Nataf's research, arguing that precoproporphyrin levels were not, as Nataf had assumed in his 2006 paper, necessarily indicative of mercury toxicity.[7] Other critics have noted that Laboratoire Auguste Philippe sells porphyrin tests and that Nataf therefore may have a conflict of interest.[4]

Education

Nataf received his MD from Paris Diderot University.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Nataf, R.; Skorupka, C.; Amet, L.; Lam, A.; Springbett, A.; Lathe, R. (2006). "Porphyrinuria in childhood autistic disorder: Implications for environmental toxicity". Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 214 (2): 99–108. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2006.04.008. PMID 16782144.
  2. ↑ "Heavy metals may be implicated in autism". New Scientist. 30 May 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  3. ↑ Conte, Lisa (18 July 2008). "Advocacy for Autism Answers-- Understanding Ubiquitous Mercury". Huffington Post. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  4. 1 2 Giles, Jim (23 June 2007). "US Vaccines on Trial Over Link to Autism" (PDF). New Scientist. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  5. ↑ October 4, 2006 Newsletter
  6. ↑ Geier, D. A.; Kern, J. K.; Garver, C. R.; Adams, J. B.; Audhya, T.; Nataf, R.; Geier, M. R. (2009). "Biomarkers of environmental toxicity and susceptibility in autism". Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 280 (1–2): 101–108. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2008.08.021. PMID 18817931.
  7. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Michael (2009). Defeating Autism: A Damaging Delusion. Routledge. p. 67. ISBN 9780203888391.
  8. ↑ Heavy Metal Toxicity in Autism
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