From bit.listserv.autism, article describing secretin:

Hello All!

I thought I'd develop this little flyer for my friends and family to get them
to write to the appropriate people to get the ball rolling for more research on
Secretin.  I mentioned this to Victoria Beck and she thought it was a good idea
and told me I should post it on the web so that EVERYONE could do the same and
really "blitz" them.  So, here it is.  Feel free to change, re-word or do
whatever you want with it.  Its just a starting point.  


HELP CHILDREN 
WITH AUTISM  (large and bold)

There is a potential new treatment being studied for children with autism.  The
�drug� is called SECRETIN.  (You may have seen a story about it on NBC�s
Dateline.)  Secretin is being hailed by some as �one of the most exciting
developments in the treatment of autism.�  Secretin is a hormone that aids in
the digestion of foods and is released from the pancreas.  In addition to being
a digestive hormone, Secretin is �intimately involved in many activities of the
brain, including stimulating the production and utilization of the
neurotransmitter serotonin.  There are Secretin receptors in many places in the
central
nervous system, including the eyes.�  (Autism Research Review, vol. 12, no. 3) 
 For years, those in the �autism community� have known the relationship between
autism and digestive problems.  

It has been �accidentally� discovered that when Secretin infusions are
administered to children with autism, 60% of them improve in communication, eye
contact, social abilities and cognitive function, among others.  In some cases,
the children dramatically improve.  Secretin is safe, has been used for years,
and has no known side effects.  Many children�s lives could be improved by
Secretin.  Because Secretin has been, thus far, used only during an endoscopy
to test the function of the pancreas, it is not easy to obtain, costly and �off
label� by FDA standards.  The FDA itself does not conduct clinical
research--only animal research.  The FDA approves drugs based on research done
by the National
Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as, other organizations, hospitals and
pharmaceutical companies. 

If you would like to help children with autism, please write to the following
addresses and ask Ferring Pharmaceuticals to increase the production of NATURAL
SECRETIN-PORCINE (not synthetic) and the NIH to begin clinical research on the
use of Secretin as a treatment for autism.  I have also included phone numbers
and web-page addresses for those who deem it necessary.  However, writing a
letter is often more effective.

Feel free to copy this sheet and give it to as many people as you desire to
increase the pressure on the NIH and Ferring Pharmaceuticals.  Thank you and
may God bless you for your help.

Please write to:

Mr. Wayne Anderson, President   
Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   
120 White Plains Road,  Suite 400       
Tarrytown, NY  10591    
        
Phone:  (914) 333-8933  (Mr. Anderson)  
        (888) 337-7464 (Customer Service)
Fax:    (914) 631-5120  
e-mail: [email protected]


National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NINDS
Building 31
Room 8A16
31 Center Drive -- MSC-2540
Bethesda, MD  20892-254