Journal Regrets Vaccine-Autism Link Study

[DuctapeFatwa]

A leading medical journal said Saturday it should not have published a controversial 1998 study that claimed a link between childhood vaccinations and autism.

The editor of the Lancet, Dr. Richard Horton, said Dr. Andrew Wakefield and a team of British scientists who conducted the study on the triple measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine didn't reveal that they were being paid by a legal aid service looking into whether families could sue over the immunizations.

"The clinical and pathological findings in these children stand as reported," he said. "My colleagues and I have acted at all times in the best medical interests of these children and will continue to do so."

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040221_817.html

[liberalhistorian]

1. My son has Asperger's Syndrome

(a type of high-functioning autism), and I belong to a couple of autism organizations whose members are convinced that there's some link between vaccines and autism, which I've always thought was total bullshit. I'm anxious to show them this, and my son as well (he's 12), since he's convinced of the link as well.

[Demeter]

2. My Daughter Has PDD_NOS

Which is the medical way of saying "we don't know what the hell is wrong, or why". But I do know that this condition existed at birth, and that her condition is most likely genetic (too many engineers in the family on both sides). Too many people are convinced of totally impossible things--that's why Bush is still in office. But even the mildest autism is a terrible curse on the whole family, so it's understandable that people will grasp at straws.

[Ilsa]

3. I think a genetic problem

like a missing enzyme, might be leading to a problem in processing out toxic chemicals or metals from the body. It might be just as prevalent in utero if the placenta doesn't stop the trash from crossing over, and might be worse since the early part of the pregnancy is critical for developing fetal neurology.

IOW, I think it's a combination of genetic-congenital-and enivironmental problems. Vaccines containing thimerosal might be part of that problem.