Dr. Wakefield, Whose Research Links MMR and Autism, Now Under Investigation
Dr. Andrew Wakefield, a British doctor behind a controversial study linking the common measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) to autism, is now being examined by the British General Medical Council for failure to disclose his links to autism litigators as well as for unethical behavior during his study. In 1998, Wakefield published a paper in the medical journal The Lancet. Media coverage of this alleged link between vaccines and autism scared many parents and resulted in their opting out of crucial vaccinations for their children. The Lancet now admits that this paper should never have been published based on the heavy conflict of interest suggested by Wakefield's ties with autism litigators. In addition to this, the overwhelming majority of the study's authors, ten of thirteen, no longer support the conclusions set forth in the document.Despite these accusations, Dr. Wakefield's defenders are still squarely behind him and his theories. Many are absolutely certain that they saw a direct link between the MMR and the onset of their child's autism. It's hard to believe that any of Wakefield's many ardent supporters will allow an ethics hearing to change their perspective.Currently, Wakefield has three accusations against him, all of which he denies. The charges consist of unnecessary procedures performed on children, coordinating with autism litigators, and taking blood from children at a birthday party. It is clear that that this examination of Dr. Wakefield is well deserved. Most importantly, we hope that this raises the eyebrows of those so quick to point a finger at vaccines. Those who have examined the issue without Wakefield's biases -- using good science, with no conflict of interest -- have found no link between MMR vaccination and autism.
Do you take a stand for or against Dr. Wakefield and his work? Do you need to know more? Information about the MMR/Autism theory is available on this site:
Comments
Wakefield study more was a theory to GI issues than a link to autism. Procedures are there to keep people (children in this case) safe. Procedures are needed and for sure in the medical field. Everyone has rules in life and the medical field is always on the eyes of all. Why he didn’t follow them, one wonders and wonders about the motives behind that choice.
I would hope that all countries are being sure researchers are being held accountable for their studies. Taking blood at a party is hardly the sterile place for it and leaves open for him to have switched the samples. It’s hard to comprehend that people don’t find the things he did to these children appalling? people often compare the CDC to using kids as guinea pigs. That’s just what Wakefield did too, and he documented it.
His study in the end produced nothing short of hysteria and the triple jabs being done as one at a time. there is nothing more any of us gained from it. Parent’s may have seen a difference after the MMR jab, but this theory doesn’t tell us a thing as to why. His study ran him right out of the UK to the USA. One wonders what he’s researching now and how many kids he’s making throw up over his horrible tactics. His peers surely should keep an eye on this man.
As a Mom of a child with autism and knowing that my child had a regression during his second year. I would be very glad if a Doctor is willing take the blood samples at my home.
I would be very glad just knowing if a Doctor is willing to figure out if there is a genetic, or physical damage that is causing my child odd behavior.
Since Wakefield’s original publication in the Lancet in 1998, there have been at least 24 other publications, papers and presentations in Pediatric and Gastroenterology journals, in government hearings and professional conferences WORLDWIDE, by other researchers affiliated with top tier medical institutions confirming Wakefield’s results, urging further investigation, raising questions about the shortfalls in vaccine safety studies and verifying RNA evidence of measles vaccine-strain in the guts of autistic kids.
Its too bad that those professionals and their work is being brushed aside with the blanket statements made in newswire releases. This isn’t about Wakefield. It isn’t about the professionals who are trying to get to the bottom of a profoundly painful and devastating medical problem…this is all about CYA and liability.
Rock on, Dr Wakefield. Thank you for honoring your medical oath.
I agree totally with VJWest. As grandparents of two Autistic grandchildren we know the nightmare. This problem has to be something that was either given to the Mother like birth control pills or something that was given to this generation to cause this problem. We support Dr. Wakefield.
I wholeheartedly support Dr Wakefield in his efforts to uncover the truth.
While my daughter showed some signs of autism from birth, she also had an odd, rash, seizures, and high fever 3 weeks after receiving the MMR and Varivax. At the ER the only test given were to rule out strep throat, and it was diagnosed as a viral infection. I questioned the vacines and was assured that a vaccine reaction would only happen in 5 days.
Within 1 week of this reaction, she lost eye contact, began spinning, and grinding her teeth. She developed facial tics within weeks.
5 months later, at 22 mos old, she was diagnosed with “classic” autism.
She had severe gut issues, and was losing weight at the time.
Upon consulting an immunologist, it was confirmed that my daughter has some type of immune deficiency, as she had no reponse to many of her vaccines.
Thankfully, since we began treating my daughter’s immune deficiency, her overall health has greatly improved, as well as her communication skills, she no longer grinds her teeth, nor has facial tics.
I have also since learned, that live virus vaccines, such as the MMR, and Varivax are contraindicated for individuals with immune deficiency.
This may be only a small fraction of the children with autism, as not every autistic child has had a rash and fever after a live virus vaccination.
But too many children share the same story. Administration of live virus vaccines, a reaction, then a manifestation of symptoms of an underlying neurologic “disorder”, accompanied with severe GI dysfunction. And most doctors haven’t a clue how to treat this.
We deserve answers as to why this is happening. Our children deserve the truth.
I have chronicled my daughter’s progress through videos. See what healing an autistic child’s immune and GI systems can do.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=aware4autism
Our son, Eric was born normal in Janauary, 1985 and when he received the MMR vaccine in April 1986, he regressed into autism. We didn’t realize this until 1995 when we got blood work from Dr. Vijendra Singh that showed that Eric tested positive for elevated measles antibody titers and mylen basic protein antibodies. Eric also was subsequently tested by Dr. Arthur Krigsman and subsequently found to have colitis and stomach tissue in his throat as well that was very painful.
From 2002 to 2004 Eric started to bite, head-butt, kick, scratch and pull hair of family members and others at the school he attended. He is now in an out-of-state residential center in Delaware.
Raymond Gallup
Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034
highnoon@gti.net
Andrew Wakefield, MD will go into the medical history books for what he has done to do the research that has helped families and children with regressive autism. His accomplishments will be duly noted as time goes on. His critics are nothing more than 21st century Neanderthals with the same brain capacity as the original Neaderthals dug out of the ground.
The General Medical Council (GMC) is conducting nothing more and nothing less than a Salem Witch Trial/Spanish Inquisition on Dr. Wakefield, Professor Smith and Professor Murch. It is sad, shameful and a travesty to do this to these great medical professionals. I truly wish I could be in England now so I could be there to lend my physical presence of support for these three great medical professionals.
Raymond Gallup
Lake Hiawatha, NJ
highnoon@gti.net
The hypocrisy surrounding this “trial” is absolutely astounding to me.
If the General Medical Council was REALLY interested in the welfare of these children and wanted to go after “unscrupulous” doctors who have “traumatized” them, maybe they should be looking into the thousands of medical professions who have continually turned a “blind eye” to the obvious PHYSICAL ailments of our children and refused to run the simple tests that would have given them the medical evidence that they needed to treat them. Instead, they “dismissed” their ailments as PSYCHOLOGICAL and referred them to psychologists.
Now THAT, in my opinion, is a “charge” that needs to be “examined” and is “well deserved”…wouldn’t you agree Lisa Jo Rudy?
Wakefield’s 1998 study has never been replicated, and the results were tainted by sloppy lab procedures. What’s more, Wakefield held a patent for a drug that would have replaced MMR if it had been banned in the UK.
From today’s Irish Times:
> However, last month, the US Court of Federal Claims in Washington was told by an expert witness, Prof Stephen Bustin: “I do not believe there is any measles virus in any of the cases they [Prof O'Leary's research team] have looked at”.
>
> Prof Bustin, a professor of molecular science at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, and a world expert in the technology of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – the basis for many medical diagnostic tests – reached his conclusion after visiting the laboratory at the Coombe hospital in 2004 and following a series of studies which failed to replicate Prof O’Leary’s results. He was giving evidence in the first test case brought by the families of more than 4,800 US children claiming damages from a fund set up to compensate people harmed by vaccination.
>
> Prof Bustin told the court, it was “a scientific certainty” that the Unigenetics laboratory at the Coombe has failed to identify measles virus RNA (genetic material) in the children it had tested.
>
> Introduced as the author of the “bible of PCR”, he told the three judge court: “I have very little doubt that what they [Prof O'Leary and his colleagues] are detecting is a DNA contaminant and not measles virus, and I do not believe there is any measles virus in any of the cases they have looked at”.
>
> Prof Bustin’s opinion is widely regarded as final proof that the theory put forward by British gastroenterologist, Dr Andrew Wakefield, that a distinctive inflammatory bowel condition – autistic enterocolitis – was the link between the MMR vaccine and increasing levels of autism, lacks credibility.
Don’t forget that Prof Bustin’s report on Wakefield and O’Leary was produced for the manufacturers in the UK MMR litigation (he was paid £220k). His evidence was not heard in court nor subject to critical analysis. The UK judge released Bustin’s report to the US government but left the rest of the defendents’ and claimants’ reports secret. Bustin’s is far from the last word in this debate. Replication studies of Wakefield’s finding of measles in the gut of autistic children but rarely in controls has still not been negated by replication.
David, can you cite a legitimate study that replicated Wakefield’s work?
Can you cite a legitimate non-epidemiologic study that disproves Wakefield’s theory?
Sadly, I have seen none. We rely on the Cochrane report, which is sadly inconclusive. Most references in the Cochrane only follow the children for a brief period after vaccination, if I remember correctly, most for only 2 months post vax.
2 months! I’d love to find a doctor who can diagnose autism that does not have a wait of less than 2 months! We had to wait 7 months after we were referred to a developmental pediatrician to be seen!
Besides, if one chooses to read beyond the summary, into the abstract you will se that it states-
“The design and reporting of safety outcomes in MMR vaccine studies, both pre- and post-marketing, are largely inadequate. The evidence of adverse events following immunisation with MMR cannot be separated from its role in preventing the target diseases”
http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab004407.html
Largely inadequate. And yes, the MMR is VERY effective in preventing disease, in those with a proper immune response!
We need to identify those who may suffer an adverse reaction to a live virus vaccine, BEFORE they receive it.
How can we do this?
One way is to educate parents, and physicians on the signs of primary immune deficiency often called PI, or PID, and the contraindication for live virus vaccination.
10 Warning Signs of Primary Immune Defiency (or Immunodeficiency, as it is also commonly referred to)
1. Eight or more ear infections within 1 year
2. Two or more serious sinus infections within 1 year
3. Two or more months on antibiotics with little or no affect
4. Two or more pneumonias within 1 year
5. Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow normally.
6. Recurrent, deep skin or organ abscesses.
7. Persistent thrush in mouth or elsewhere on skin, after age 1.
8. Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections.
9. Two or more deep seated infections
10. A family history of primary immune deficiency.
Sadly, I had only learned of these after my daughter was vaccinated. Her reaction, has led me to the dx of my own immune deficiency. For 12 yrs, I had thought all my infections and hospitalizations requiring IV antibiotics were due to “bad medical luck”. Not once did any doctor suggest it could be a faulty immune system, other than to suggest numerous HIV tests!
From the NIH-
“Children with PI diseases, especially those with defective T cells, X-linked agammaglobulinemia, and ataxia telangiectasia should not receive live virus vaccines, such as the oral polio, measles, and chicken pox (varicella) vaccines. It is not even safe to give live virus vaccines to children suspected of immunodeficiency until a definitive diagnosis is rendered. There is a risk that such vaccines could cause serious illness or even death.”
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/primary_immuno.cfm#ImportantPrecautions
It is also interesting to note the recent discovery of a genetic variant associated with the MET gene, which is common in children with autism and appears more frequently in families that have more than one affected child.
Additionally, MET has known roles in immune system regulation and gastrointestinal repair.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/54747.php
And to think that a study last year has linked thimerosal (which was NEVER in the MMR, but in many of the other vaccines US children received prior to 2003) to immune system dysfunction.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/03/060322183922.htm
What we want and need are answers, hard scientific conclusions from a lab, not numbers thrown at us from epidemiologic studies. Mind you, epidemiology once had the world convinced that the link between tobacco smoking and lung cancer was purely coincidential, as well.
Why do many children with autism suffer immune dysfunction? What IS the relationship between the immune system and the brain? Why do some autistic children progress after removing the interference (mercury) with the immune system? Why do some autistic children regress after a viral illness? What is causing the numerous Immune Deficiencies we are just beginning to learn about? Why are some Immune Deficiencies genetic, yet there is no known cause for others?
When will the CDC and NIH take us parents up on such a challenge, and answer these questions?
Instead of a witch hunt with Wakefield, the medical community should have studies done by an independent research team; one that is not paid for by the pharmaceutical companies. I’m tired of doctors pandering to big pharmaceuticals. It must be nice to be wined and dined and given free merchandise to push their drugs. How many of these “wonder drugs” are later pulled off the market because of serious complications? We really need to combine Eastern, Western, and homeopathic remedies.
Heraldblog said: David, can you cite a legitimate study that replicated Wakefield’s work?
Hearldblog — Here’s what the IOM (Institute of Medicine) VSR Committee said IN CLOSED DOOR discussions regarding Wakefield’s work(leaked transcripts document the conversations between committee members)–
Dr. Goodman: I actually have a problem with verified. I think that is a very loaded term. It’s a coded word of saying everything else, Wakefield, anything we don’t like is unverified.
Dr. Gatsonis: Well, we need to say something. For instance, what are we going to do about the 11 challenge/rechallenge cases? Do we believe in it? It was evidence. It was published in some sense. Do we say published evidence?
Dr. Goodman: Yes, I think published evidence.
Dr. Gatsonis: We also had unpublished things in our evidence.
Dr. Goodman: Yes, the Fombonne.
Dr. Foxman: He did have published reviews though.
Dr. Gatsonis: We need some words.
Dr. Medoff: Based on the available data. Did Wakefield give us data?**
Source: 3/10/01 Closed Door transcript, p. 34, (emphases added)
**This question was not answered by the committee officials (McCormick and Stratton), who had the authority and responsibility to request additional information.
Furthermore:
After his original presentation to the IOM ISR on 3/8/01, in which he reported data on 11 rechallenge case studies, Wakefield was asked to provide his data to the committee on 3/9/01 (2002 Latitudes, 5[3] p. 6).
Closed door deliberations on 3/10/01 make it clear that committee members wanted additional information but committee leadership chose not to request such data from Wakefield.
Despite the comprehensive data provided and the deliberations by the committee, Wakefield’s case study information was mentioned only in passing in the 4/23/01 report on MMR and autism,
“The committee is aware that there might be some cases of rechallenge that could be assessed (Wakefield, 2001). If well-documented and reviewed by appropriate clinicians, these reports and similar data could provide evidence in favor, but not necessarily prove causality, of the hypothesized relationship in a small number of children.”
-Source: 4/23/01 Report on MMR and Autism, p. 57.
AND FINALLY THE COMMITTEE’S SOLE IMMUNOLOGIST WEIGHS IN, IN ABSENTIA, CHRIS WILSON ON WAKEFIELD’S WORK:
CHRISTOPHER B. WILSON, M.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Immunology, University of Washington. Dr. Wilson conducted an independent review of Wakefield’s hypotheses and research to date for the rest of the committee.
“In summary, I find the EPIDEMIOLOGY data argue against an association between the rise in the prevalence of autism and MMR vaccine. However, the evidence is not sufficient to refute such an association.”
“Since the argument that MMR is linked to autism is substantially founded on these (i.e., Wakefield’s) findings, I believe the committee should recommend that studies seeking to replicate these findings should be commissioned. It is my view that until this evidence if obtained in a convincing manner from two or more groups of unbiased, careful and qualified investigators, we will have to conclude that evidence sufficient to reject this hypothesis is lacking.”
Source: Wilson review, p. 1 (emphasis added)
Dr. Wilson was absent at the closed door meetings 3/9/01 and 3/10/01 to discuss the findings of Wakefield. In addition, Dr. Wilson’s review was not provided for consideration by The Committee prior to its deliberations.
Obviously, some members of the committee thought Andy Wakefield’s work was provoking enough to review/replicate, but seems that bit of information never made it into the “official report”….
Kelli Ann Davis
Washington, DC
I agree with Dr Wakefield’s findings and the truth is being prevented from being exposed by the Pharmaceutical Companies ruling the world. We need ‘people power’ and we need to refuse vaccines which contain preservatives, aluminium hydroxide & mercury, which are causing autoimmune disorders in our children and adults. I run a support group where 300 ex-nurses,medical engineers, GP’s and consultant are unable to work after the Hepatitis B jab. Hepatitis A jab is causing the same symptoms – we have a 7 yr old with arthritis. What are we doing to our children? I have been to the Dept of Health – they are not allowed to be interested!!