Anti-Vaccine Scientist Acted "Dishonestly and Irresponsibly"

[paulsby]

http://volokh.com/2010/01/30/anti-vaccine-scientist-acted-dishonestly-and-irresponsibly/#comments

lots of embedded links in article...
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Claims that childhood MMR vaccines cause autism are unfounded and irresponsible. As Ron Bailey notes, “study after study has debunked” the claim that MMR vaccines are linked to autism, and there are credible allegations that the study that prompted the initial scare was faked. As the BBC reports, British medical authorities have also concluded that the primary researcher promoting such claims, Andrew Wakefield, acted “dishonestly and irresponsibly” in conducting and promoting his research. More here from Discover’s Bad Astronomy blog.

Despite the broad medical consensus on the importance of vaccination for many diseases, some prominent public figures, such as Oprah Winfrey and John McCain, continue to embrace or encourage the unfounded, unscientific charge that vaccinations cause autism. This could have very serious consequences as the rate of vaccination gradually declines. Childhood vaccinations are extremely important for public health. If vaccination rates drop below a certain point, herd immunity can be compromised, leading to widespread outbreaks of disease. Perhaps the latest report on Wakefield’s research will lead some to reconsider.

UPDATE: More from Orac at Respectful Insolence.

[endless october]

1. so many people still believe the anti-vax nonsense.

that's sad.

[Shell Beau]

3. I have a friend whose child was just diagnosed with autism (almost 3 years old).

She hasn't blamed it on the vaccines, and he continued to get vaccinated, but I think she may think it had something to do with it. He did have a bad reaction after his 15 month vaccines. He ran a very high temp and his eyes started rolling back in his head. BUT I thought all along that he was autistic. I don't think for one minute the vaccines had anything to do with it. He was showing signs very early on. I hope she will continue to vaccinate her 8 month old twins.

I really think people just want to have something to blame. It makes it easier for some reason, but it puts bad information out there.

[Odin2005]

7. As I said in another thread, going from Neurotypical to Autistic in a vety short time...

...is neurologically impossible. Most of the differences in the brains of neurotypicals and autistics are set by brain development in the last trimester of pregnancy, especially development of the cerebellum, which is often significantly smaller in autistics than in neurotypicals.

[liberal_at_heart]

9. You make good points Odin2005 but the brain goes through many changes during childhood as well

I've read about cases of children who have had half their brain removed and the other half of their brain learns to compensate for it. Others due to trauma or exposure to harmful chemicals can develop developmental delays. I was up late one night watching a congrssional hearing on funding for Autism research. The chief scientist at Autism Speaks says they are agnostic on whether vaccines play a role but would like to do further genetic testing on siblings of autistic children and study those children who are not getting vaccinated. She says we live in a era of individualized medicine and that for some individuals there could be underlying issues such as mitochondrial disease and other conditions that could potentially be aggrevated by immunizations. I do think there are those who are out to make a quick buck off of desperate parents who want a cure, but I don't think that should stop the quest for answers. When we get answers parents can be confident about getting their children vaccinated instead of feeling like they are being bullied and forced into getting vaccinations.

[Odin2005]

13. Stay as far as you can from Autism Speaks. They are bigoted eugenicists.

They are infamous for constantly offending us actual autistics, most recently because of some extremely offensive "ransome note" billboard ads.

[liberal_at_heart]

14. Oh, I just looked it up. That is a stupid attitude to take towards autism

I've always seen my son's autism as part of him. Of course as a parent I can't help but want things for him like making friends, graduating high school, getting a job, getting married just as any parent hopes for their child. But even if he had to live with me his entire life I would be very proud of him because he is himself. He doesn't need to be or do anything different or better for me to love him more or be proud of him. I accept and love every part of him including his autism. I think it is stupid to consider someone who has autism kidnapped.

[liberal_at_heart]

2. I think that we live in the age of individualized medicine

I think in the next few years we will see doctor's prescribing medicine based on each individual's biological markers and responses and we may find that some individuals are indeed suseptible to some kind of negative response to immunizations. This is not a bad thing. I think in fact it will give us the answers and reassurance we need so that those who can be vaccinated can be and those who are at risk for serious negative reactions can avoid them. As a parent of an autistic child this gives me hope for the future.

[johnaries]

5. I believe you're right, Or at least I hope you are. nt

[xchrom]

4. Recommend

[Odin2005]

6. This autistic person thinks Wakefield is a asshole and should be in JAIL.

Along with David Kirby, Jenny McCarthy, and other spewers of lies and hysteria.

[The Straight Story]

8. Meh, either way I still believe 'your body, your choice' -although some might want to roll that back

I am all for it :)

But one could debate when your body is subject to my choice...

[Shell Beau]

10. Well when it comes to children's vaccination, they have no choice.

The choice lies with the parents, so bad information can lead to some bad choices, and children really have no choice.

[liberal_at_heart]

11. I think if the children had a choice they wouldn't get stuck with a needle! lol

I have to restrain my son during vaccinations. I think it has to do with his sensory issues. He gets the most horrified look on his face. He looks at me like I his mother have betrayed him. It's hard, but he had all his vaccinations when he was a baby. He has improved so much over the years I have to admit I am scared of a regression if he gets his teenage vaccinations. We want to vaccinate our children. We don't want to harm the general population, but we need answers. We need to know that we are not harming our children when we get them vaccinated. There is still so little known about autism. We don't know what causes it. We don't have any uniform, effective treatments for it, and we don't know if there are individuals out there that could be suseptible to having negative reactions to the immunizations. I don't fall for the quick fixes. I don't give him medication, supplements, or change his diet. But I want answers. Right now I feel bullied into getting vaccines. Isn't it better to get more research and more information so we can feel confident about getting our children vaccinated? Why does the majority get to bully the minority? Why is my child less important than all the others? I'm sorry. I'm just venting. I didn't mean to get on my soap box. They estimate that 1 in 100 children are now diagnosed with autism. That is up from 1 in 150. I'm sure some of that is due to better diagnosing but it can't be the whole picture. We need answers.

[Shell Beau]

12. I would question everything if my child were austisitc.

I have a hard enough time giving mine vaccines because she trusts me, and then BAM she gets stuck with a needle. She has no clue that it is to help her. She is only 16 months old. But I know if she were diagnosed with autism, I would question everything she came in contact with. Hoping for some kind of answer. Is it already determined while they are in the belly? I really don't know enough about autism, but I don't think vaccinations have anything to do with it, and the sicknesses that could be caused without the vaccinations.... Don't feel bullied into anything. Do what you think is absolutely best for your child. That is all you can do. But be smart about it. I am sure you are.

[Spider Jerusalem]

15. Dangerous attitude to have when it comes to things like vaccination.

There's a little thing called 'herd immunity' that requires vaccination rates of about 92% to ensure the few who aren't vaccinated aren't at risk of infection with vaccine-preventable illness; also, the decline in childhood mortality is almost entirely due to vaccination (we don't have epidemic polio and measles anymore, to name a few major contriutors to high childhood mortality rates before the mid-20th century).