Twelve years ago, the British medical journal The Lancet linked the measles-mumps-rubella vaccination to autism. Now the journal says that the study was compromised due to researcher Dr. Andrew Wakefield's reputed unethical and "callous disregard" for the children used in the study.

As a result, the journal has retracted its claims. But does this necessarily indicate that the results are wrong?

Ginger O'Conner from the Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities warns, "Be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water." As an nationally recognized autism expert , O'Conner argues that since the results of Wakefield's study can no longer be considered "breakthrough," continued research is necessary.

The number of reported cases of autism has increased dramatically without explanation. The trend began in the 1980s and gained momentum in the 1990s. Speculation has prompted federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to commit to investigate the issue further.

While many medical experts have concluded that there is no link between autism and vaccines, most still caution on the use of thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative found in many vaccinations, including that for the swine flu. The federal Food and Drug Administration has recommended that thimerosal, used since the 1930s, be removed from vaccinations.

O'Connor is not convinced of the connection between the MMR vaccine and autism but believes that the possibility should not dismissed. She claims, "What we know about autism, from most researchers, is that there is believed to be some sort of genetic component and then there's an environmental hit. And we don't know what that environmental hit is."

Some parents of autistic children say they do know. Lisa Rudley asserts that her child’s autism was a direct result of his shots. “I watched my son descend into illness [after being vaccinated]. I think a mother’s observation of her child is valuable.” Her certainty has brought her to file a claim in “Vaccine Court,” created by the federal court when parents first began filing suit for compensation for the bad reactions to vaccinations. This court was founded for the sole purpose of managing claims made as a result of vaccine injuries, most of which have been well documented. 

Actress Holly Robinson Peete remembers, “When my son was two-and-a-half, he was just recovering from an ear infection and had been on antibiotics, therefore his immune system was suppressed. He had already missed several appointments for his vaccination so his pediatrician wanted to catch him up on all of them in the same day. Althrough I asked if he’d consider waiting or breaking up the cocktail, which contains three viruses, he laughed me out of the office and belittled me. I firmly believe that it took my son to a place of no return and his body could not handle it. He had a violent reaction with convulsions and then he stopped talking and slipped into a silence. He no longer said, 'Hi, Mommy,' he no longer responded to his name and he no longer made eye contact.”

In recent months, television and radio commercials have targeted the autism epidemic. One in particular entails a mother leaving detailed information for her babysitter. “So here's my cell phone number, my husband's cell-phone number and here's the number to the grandparents, the number of the restaurant we'll be at. It's just down the block. And I told the neighbors you were here so if anything happens, anything at all, don't hesitate to call.” At the end of the commercial, the narrator adds, “The odds of a baby sitter calling 911 1 in 1400. The odds of a child being diagnosed with autism 1 in 150.” The narrator goes on to ask parents to be aware of the signs of autism, such as the child’s inability to express jubilance, imitate facial expressions and sounds, and babble by 12 months of age.

The recent publicity has invoked public outcry for further autism research. Autism remains a relatively mysterious phenomenon and remains at the forefront of medical debates. Since the link between autism and vaccination has not be confirmed, O’Connor believes that children should continue to be vaccinated since the risks of not doing so are far greater. Lisa Rudley and Holly Robinson Peete may disagree.

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Richh said:

fact check Even I know the difference between British Medical Journal and The Lancet! Perhaps you could do a follow-up story on the changing definition of "autism" and its implications for the increase in the number of reported cases.

February 06, 2010

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Dutra said:

Leeds, UK Dr. Wakefield pursues his career as a climatologist.

February 06, 2010 | url

Elmer said:

grammarian Physician, heal thyself.

February 06, 2010

Susan G said:

Pharma (latin meaning black magic) cuticals celebrate the retraction Selliing their souls once again and destroying children and their families lives. Good God. When does it end? Oh, of course, it ends NEVER thanks to their God the dollar and euro. Good God. When does it end? This deception and the destruction?

February 06, 2010

Invers137 said:

Allow me to translate....I am fluent in idiot. "Ginger O'Conner...As an nationally recognized autism expert." Translation: O'Conner, the self appointed expert. "O'Conner argues that since the results of Wakefield's study can no longer be considered "breakthrough" Definition of "Breakthrough:" The results of the study can not be reproduced. The basis of the scientific method is that the results of ANY study / experiment can be reproduced. For years these conspiracy theorist have been blaming MMR even though NO OTHER STUDY HAS FOUND A LINK. Let me say that again: NO OTHER STUDY HAS FOUND A LINK.

February 06, 2010

meera lee said:

... We Tralfamadorians thrive on thimerosol and anti-freeze that you humans put in your vaccines. The more the better. I get a vaccine once a week for my sunday breakfast and have belladonna in my afternoon tea. Anyways, you wouldn't want people to get very smart. Remember, a dumber population is easier to control!!! Sincerely, The High Council of Planetary Dominatrix

February 06, 2010

PA Voter said:

... The reporter quoted anecdote but failed to go to the primary literature. If one is going to write about scientific studies, it is always best to look at the literature, in this case, at least the original Wakefield papers, the published studies that found no link of autism to thimerosal, and the editors' comment that accompanied the retraction of the Wakefiled paper. Doing so might have given the reporter at least a clue about what journal was involved. What a poor piece of "journalism."

February 06, 2010

chrisl said:

Throwing the baby out with the bathwater While vaccines have done much good, they are also very dangerous. Amongst all the healthy ingredients is mercury, a know toxin. While the original study is flawed, there have been numerous statistical correlations between vaccines and a host of problems. Even the H1N1 vaccine caused significant physical symptoms in many adults. So while the original study was problematic, there should be other research rather than invalidating the person who did it. Of course, who is going to do such research? The pharmaceutical companies?

February 06, 2010

jean said:

... GRAMMARAIN: Can I ask you if you have any personal experience with Autism? Child, friend's child,niece/nephew? Please think before you make such bold assumptions. My very true story, my son gets first set of shots: the next day he breaks out with oozing sores over his body. 2nd set: 105 temperatures. 3rd set: loss of language. We're not talking hair-splitting detective work here. You do this, this happens. Now we're facing possible life-long dependence. It's nice some of you have the luxury of sitting on your thrones commenting with nothing personal to lose, but next time think of the horrors of us parents who have a normal child one day and a child in another world the next....and it's documented in the medical records!

February 06, 2010

zman said:

The Government and Big Pharma Vaccine Makers Love Us-That's Why They Force Vaccines On Us Gee, I wonder if there has ever been any vaccine research done by governments and/or Big Pharma that reached the conclusion that vaccines are something like a healthy meal made with pure, organic ingredients? The government and Pharma propaganda reads like vaccines are a wholesome part of a nutritious diet. Should we trust the results of vaccine studies funded by the same people who have a vested interest in seeing that vaccines are, through color of law and intimidation, forced on the populace? Meanwhile, Big Pharma demanded and received a taxpayer funded multi-billion dollar vaccine injury compensation program (Who do you think that protects? Hint: not We The People) and receive exemption from liability by the government before they will even make a vaccine. I don't trust the pharmaceutical companies that make vaccines as far as I could throw their bank accounts. The study referred to in this article may well have been flawed, but I would bet the house that it isn't the only study that is flawed.

February 06, 2010

johnny boy said:

Mr. Considering we have other preservatives than Thimerosol, it would be wise to use those until further research has confirmed safety for the aforementioned. Understandably, Thirmerosol may be cheaper and/or more efficient. But our children's well being is worth the extra cost to insurance companies and ourselves. We wouldn't feed our children beer or let them smoke cigarettes. Let's not feed them mercury either.

February 07, 2010

jaywalker said:

... It used to be the ratio was 1 in 10,000, then 1 in 1,000, now it's 1 in 115. The ratio is getting smaller. The 114 who've genetically managed to avoid radical side-effects (autism) of high doses of mercury might consider that their own genes have now been altered so that when they father/conceive the next generation their children will have an altered genetic make-up and may be more prone to radical side-effects. 1 in 25?

February 07, 2010

Bonnie said:

... "NO OTHER STUDY HAS FOUND A LINK" - Invers137 The original (and now rejected) study found a link between autism and MMR. Pharmaceutical companies have a vested interest in MMR. Government also has a vested interest in MMR and push for mass vaccinations. When studies such as this are done, what is the primary source of funding? If the answer is either pharmaceutical companies or government, there just may a reason no other study has seen a link. We've seen such problems with various alternative medical treatments. Laetrile is one example which comes to mind. Sometimes the best "research" is not in a laboratory or clinical setting, but the real world experiences of people like jean.

February 07, 2010

Guest said:

... Read the original articule, you will see how ill-informed, the "senior medical correspondent" Elizabeth Cohen appeared. It appeared she probably never read the paper for which she is reporting. No wonder American's are so misinformed about the "hypothesis" presented by Wakefield et al: The media is doing a great job of misinforming on the essence of this controversy and fundamentally why many people just cannot trust the media to provide accuracy in a complex "politicized" controversy. Elizabeth reports that the Wakefield paper wasn't randomized. For Elizabeth Cohen to state this means "she didn't even read the first line of the paper", which states that this paper is a case series which describes the experiences of 12 "cases"; of patients with a similar diagnoses. What the authors found was some observational and histologic features of the "disease" of these "patients" which lead to a formulation of a novel hypothesis, which suggested further research. Ms. Cohen, did you understand that? You weren't even in the right ball park. The paper specifically stated that a causal association with MMR was not found. But the common feature to (I think?) 8 of these cases were GI pathologies perhaps of a previously unrecognized etiology. Remarkably, since the publication of this paper is the fact that thousands, perhaps in the tens of thousands of children seem to experience the same flight path into regressive autism with severe gut disturbances. I would encourage anyone who has on open mind to read the original case series. Then read how the media seemed to deliberately(?) misinterpret the thrust of this paper. Another sad chapter in science for which Galileo and Semmelweis would be familiar

February 08, 2010

MD said:

... fact is that people will hear what they want to hear. Especially when we are so emotionally attached to our precious offspring that we find it a virtual impossibility that anything should be wrong with them unless it is caused by and outside influence. And the media knows that taking something as ridiculous as vaccines causing autism and spinning it into a "controversy" draws readers, so they have often done little to take sides, ensuring that a decent percentage of American kids are not vaccinated

February 08, 2010

zman said:

MD is a Big Pharma toady MD, your tactic of ridiculing people for being "emotionally attached to our precious offspring" just won't wash. Being emotionally attached to our offspring is a natural as day and night. The fact is that it is not ridiculous to suspect vaccines as the cause for the rise in autism. The fact is that the government and pharmaceutical companies lie to us on a regular basis, and have done so for a long, long time. Vaccines cause all kinds of problems. There wouldn't be a billion dollar VICP if that weren't true, and you acting as a toady to Big Pharma won't change that fact.

February 08, 2010

FAF said:

... OMG!!!! What will it take for people to stop with this vaccine = autism thing? Studies around the world by governments and universities have demonstrated that there isn't a link. Not with MMR and not with mercury..... The reason that there are more cases of autism diagnosed today versus a few years ago is that the definition has been broadened -- it's that simple. People keep looking for someone to blame for every ill that befalls them. I'm sorry, people, but sometimes bad things happen to good people.

February 08, 2010

Mylines said:

Mr. I am a father of a 38 year old son who is autistic from birth. He did not speak a single word until he was over 5 years old. He flapped his hands and rocked on his tip-toes. He was afraid of anything that made high pitch noises (the ones humans are not supposed to hear). I can assure you that vaccines came later, not before. Of course, people are looking for the easy answer... my wife was the problem according to the experts in those days (wrong, false!). Then came certain foods was the cause. I forget all of the foolish things that everyone decides is the latest cause of autism. One reason Autism has increased ir that they now have developed a large "spectrum" of like conditions and the doctors seem to be able to better recognize the disability. Our son was severly retarded, until I proved to the doctors that he was perhaps more intelligent than they were. Then he was emotionally disturbed, hearing impaired (really false!!!), "stubborn!" (we liked this one). He was everything except autistic. We have been fighting the "system" for 38 years... there are no easy answers!!!

February 09, 2010