RE: Debunking an Autism Theory: NY TIMES EDITORIAL

[Guest guest]

A study group of 38 is representative of only 38 members and the

numbers themselves prove or indicate nothing. I can show you some studies of

larger groups that have some real quirky results. The number doesn’t even

come close to representing the general population. The results gives the

science community more fuel for changing nothing.

I cringe when I think that a parent may be charged with

manslaughter or worse for not vaccinating their child. The problem lies with

the science community who must have empirical proof the vaccines cause problems

in children. I think there is enough information available to suggest there

could be serious harm. Why can’t the scientific community rule on the

side of caution and acknowledge the neurological system is not completely developed

and needs more time? Instead of scheduling vaccinations when it is most convenient,

why not give them when they are needed? Although the pediatrician’s

office is a great source for bacteria and such, it appears to me the crucial

time for vaccinations would be right before the child enters school. I have not

heard of any cases of autism starting at the age of 4 or 5 years of age. The

decision not to vaccinate at this time could be a matter of life or death.

From: sList

[mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of Tony T

Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 10:45 AM

To: sList

Subject: Debunking an Autism Theory: NY TIMES EDITORIAL

Debunking an Autism Theory: NY TIMES EDITORIAL

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/opinion/09tue3.html?_r=1 & oref=slogin

Ten years ago, a clinical research paper triggered

widespread and persistent fears that a combined vaccine that prevents

measles, mumps and rubella — the so-called MMR vaccine — causes

autism in young children. That theory has been soundly refuted by a variety

of other research over the years, and now a new study that tried to replicate

the original study has provided further evidence that it was a false alarm.

The initial paper, published in The Lancet, the

prestigious British medical journal, drew an inferential link between the

vaccine, the gastrointestinal problems found in many autistic children and

autism. In later papers, researchers theorized that the measles part of the

vaccine caused inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract that allowed toxins

to enter the body and damage the central nervous system, causing autism.

Now, a team of researchers from Columbia University,

Massachusetts General Hospital and the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention has tried and failed to replicate the earlier findings.

These researchers studied a group of 38 children with

gastrointestinal problems, of whom 25 were autistic and 13 were not. All had

received the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. The scientists found no

evidence that it had caused harm. Only 5 of the 25 autistic children had been

vaccinated before they developed gastrointestinal problems — and

subsequently autism. Genetic tests found remnants of the measles virus in

only two children, one of whom was autistic, the other not.

The new study adds weight to a growing body of epidemiological

studies and reviews that have debunked the notion that childhood vaccines

cause autism. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences,

the C.D.C. and the World Health Organization have found no evidence of a

causal link between vaccines and autism.

Meanwhile, the original paper’s publisher —

The Lancet — complained in 2004 that the lead author had concealed a

conflict of interest. Ten of his co-authors retracted the paper’s

implication that the vaccine might be linked to autism. Three of the authors

are now defending themselves before a fitness-to-practice panel in London on

charges related to their autism research.

Sadly, even after all of this, many parents of autistic

children still blame the vaccine. The big losers in this debate are the

children who are not being vaccinated because of parental fears and are at

risk of contracting serious — sometimes fatal — diseases.

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in Opinion » A version of this article appeared in print on

September 9, 2008, on page A26 of the New York edition.