How Did the MMR Vaccine Become So Controversial?
Unlike the flu vaccine and a number of other childhood immunizations,
the mumps/measles/rubella vaccine does not and did not contain
thimerosal (a mercury-based preservative). MMR is one of several live
viral vaccines (chicken pox vaccine and the nasal flu vaccine are two
others). It is routinely given at 12 to 15 months of age, which is the
age when autism is first likely to become evident.
The concern over MMR
began when Dr. Andrew Wakefield, a British gastroenterologist, tested
12 youngsters with and without autism and found a possible link between
measles virus in the gut and autism. The theory presented was that
certain children have a genetic predisposition to immune issues -- and
that a variety of environmental toxins begin to attack the child's
immune system early on.
Researcher's at Wakefield's Texas-based
foundation called Thoughtful House, claim that "The child develops a
leaky gut, tissue damage gets worse, the immune system grows weaker, and
autoimmune reactions start. Then a lot of children experience a
catastrophic event. Either in the form of a significant illness or a
live virus vaccine. The immune system is overwhelmed and the child
rapidly goes downhill. Some parents report a gradual deterioration, but
many children seem to develop autism after a particular event. They go
into the hospital or they get an MMR shot and they’re never the same
again. Autism is the end result of this developing series of reactions."
These claims have not been supported by any other studies including
those that attempted unsuccessfully to replicate his results. More than
20 peer-reviewed epidemiologic studies have shown no link between MMR
and autism. In fact, Dr. Wakefield’s original study was completely
discredited. Ten of the 12 authors withdrew their support from the
article.
Again, the CDC, the Institutes of Medicine, and other major research institutions looked into the issue, and found that there was an enormous amount of evidence that there is no connection between the MMR vaccine and autism
and that there is no credible evidence that a link did exist. Some
studies have suggested that autistic children do have more
gastrointestinal problems. In addition, some research suggests that some
kind of interaction between genetic predispositions and environmental
issues may contribute to autism. As with the issue of thimerosal, there
have been suggestions that research conducted by government agencies has
been flawed or that evidence has been withheld from the public. Some
MMR opponents claim that researchers who work for NIH and CDC come from
and return to large pharmaceutical firms -- and they and their firms
have a great deal of money at risk.
The bottom line:
Much is not known about the cause or causes of autism. A combination of
environmental factors and genetic predisposition may indeed play a
significant role in the causation of autism. The overwhelming weight of
scientific evidence, however, tells us that vaccines like MMR or
preservatives like thimerosal are not causing autism.
More Information HERE!!!
Sources:
Email Interview with Thoughtful House research staff.
Science Daily: "The Age of Autism:Pox Parts 1-4".
"Deadly Immunity" in Rolling Stone Magazine, June 20 2005.
F. DeStefano Thimerosal-containing vaccines: evidence versus public apprehension. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2009 Jan;8(1):1-4.
H Honda et al. No effect of MMR withdrawal on the incidence of autism: a total population study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005 Jun;46(6):572-9.
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