SchaferAutismReport: Journal Retracts 1998 Paper Linking Autism to Vaccines

[Guest guest]

Read this report online Large text, printer version

Wednesday, February 3, 2010p Reader Supported

NEWS

Journal Retracts 1998 Paper Linking Autism to Vaccines By Gardiner , NY Times. is.gd/7DrNx

A prominent British medical journal on Tuesday retracted a 1998 research paper that set off a sharp decline in vaccinations in Britain after the

paper’s lead author suggested that vaccines could cause autism. The retraction by The Lancet is part of a reassessment that has lasted for years of the scientific methods and financial conflicts of Dr. Wakefield, who contended that his research showed that the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine may be unsafe. But the retraction may do little to tarnish Dr. Wakefield’s reputation among parents’ groups in the United States. Despite a wealth of scientific studies that have failed

to find any link between vaccines and autism, the parents fervently believe that their children’s mental problems resulted from vaccinations. Tom Skinner, a spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, called the retraction of Dr. Wakefield’s study “significant." “It builds on the overwhelming body of research by the world’s leading scientists that concludes there is no link between M.M.R. vaccine and autism,†Mr. Skinner wrote in an e-mail message. A British medical panel concluded last week that Dr.. Wakefield had been dishonest, violated basic research ethics rules and showed a “callous disregard†for the suffering of children involved in his research. Dr. Horton, editor in chief of The Lancet, said that until that decision, he had no proof that Dr. Wakefield’s 1998 paper was

deceptive. “That was a damning indictment of Wakefield and his research,†Dr. Horton said. With that decision, Dr. Horton said he could retract the 1998 paper. Dr. Wakefield could not be reached for comment. Jim Moody, a director of SafeMinds, a parents’ group that advances the notion the vaccines cause autism, said the retraction would strengthen Dr. Wakefield’s credibility with many parents. “Attacking scientists and attacking doctors is dangerous,†he said. “This is about suppressing research, and it will fuel the controversy by bringing it all up again." Dr. Wakefield is part of a small but fervent group of doctors who discourage vaccinations because of a seeming link with autism. Dr. Wakefield’s paper reported on his

examinations of 12 children with chronic intestinal disorders who had a history of normal development followed by severe mental regressions. He speculated that the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine may have caused some sort of chronic intestinal measles infection that in turn damaged the children’s brains. He suggested that the combined vaccine should be split into three separate shots and given over a longer period of time. But an investigation by a British journalist found

For rest of today's SAR click here:www.sarnet.org/frm/forsar.htm

Today's SAR newslist is human compiled and provided through the support of paid subscriptions. - THANK YOU -

$35 for 1 year - or free!www.sarnet.org

In This Issue:

•••••••••

NEWSJournal Retracts 1998 Paper Linking Autism to VaccinesKim Stagliano of Age of Autism Talks Vaccines on CNNPUBLIC HEALTHThe Autism Puzzle in WisconsinL.A. Confidential: Seeking Reasons for Autism's RiseFINANCESAutism Insurance Bill Stalls in Missouri Legislature Amid Worries Over CostEVENTSAnaheim Autism/Asperger Conference - AnaheimAutism Speaks Announces Baker Summer Camp ProgramCOMMENTARYHow A

Zealot’s Word Led Us Astray On AutismThe Lancet Retraction Changes Nothing

Send your LETTER

FREE CALENDAR LISTING!

DO SOMETHING ABOUT AUTISM NOW. . . Read, then Forward the Schafer Autism Report.$35 for 1 year - or free!www.sarnet.org

Hundreds of Local Autism EventsWeb / EverywhereAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoWeb /

EverywhereIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMainelandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriWeb / EverywhereMontanaNebraskaNevada New HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaWeb / EverywhereRhode IslandSouth

CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingWeb / Everywhere

Now's the perfect time to order your free Puzzle Piece kits and launch an autism awareness campaign in your community. When we raise the funding necessary, ARI will see that important research is done, including the large-scale, independent study of vaccinated vs. unvaccinated childrenClick here.

SAR Back Issues

The Autism CommunitySupports the Schafer Autism Report

.. . . Read, then Forward the Schafer Autism Report.$35 for 1 year - or free!www.sarnet.org

Copyright Notice: The above items are copyright protected. They are for our readers' personal education or research purposes only and provided at their request. Articles may not be further reprinted or used commercially without consent from the copyright holders. To find the copyright holders, follow the referenced website link provided at the beginning of each item.

Lenny Schafer editor@... The Schafer Autism Report is a non-profit corporation

Vol. 14 No. 12 Unsubscribe here: www.sarnet.org/frm/unsub2.htm

_______________________________________________

SARnets mailing list

SARnets@...

http://lists.igc.org/mailman/listinfo/sarnets

You can unsubscribe send email:

http://www.sarnet.org/frm/unsub2.htm

--

You are subscribed as:

deniseslist@...