Interview - Science Journalist Ken Heckenlively on his latest book, "Plague," about the link between human retroviruses and issues like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Autism.

Listen Now to Kent Heckenlively

In many ways what Kent has been researching dovetails nicely with last week’s show on vaccines and autism.  In his book Plague, Kent tells of the trials and tribulations of Dr. Judy Mikovits, who went to hell and back for associating a newly discovered retrovirus with the human conditions of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, autism, prostate cancer, lymphoma, and neuro-developmental disorders in children.

Kent also shares a little of his personal story investigating autism (his daughter has a severe case) and what he has found regarding potential treatments. Very outspoken, Kent reports that our medical regulatory system is seriously broken and needs help. 

However, he is optimistic about the future, and is excited about the research of Robert K. Naviaux, MD, PhD, at UCSD that suggests autism is the consequence of abnormal cellular communications, and that a century old drug, originally prescribed for African Sleeping Sickness, improves cell communications and autism in the process. Enjoy!