The controversial research headed by a British doctor, Andrew Wakefield, suggested there was a connection between the MMR vaccine given to children and autism. The study was retracted on February 2, 2010 by The Lancet, which originally published the work on February 28, 1998. The British medical journal wrote in an online statement on the date of the retraction, "It has become clear that several elements of the 1998 paper by Wakefield et al are incorrect."
The MMR Vaccine and Autism Study that Caused Controversy
Wakefield’s study suggested that an ingredient in the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine could cause colitis. Colitis is a condition where the colon becomes inflamed and can lead to abdominal cramps and bowel spasms. The research went on to conclude that getting colitis could lead to developmental problems relating to autism.
This research scared some parents from getting the vaccine for their children, and that in turn led to a rise in the number of cases of measles in the United Kingdom and in Europe.
The Reason for the Retraction of the Autism-Vaccine Paper
Studies that followed Wakefield's research have not found any evidence of the MMR vaccine causing autism. As well, in March 2004, 10 of the 13 authors who worked on this study withdrew their support regarding a connection between this vaccine and autism or colitis. The study was done on only 12 children who suffered from colitis.
British Disciplinary Panel Ruled on Wakefield’s Conduct During Research
Another reason behind the retraction is the recent ruling of the General Medical Council (GMC) of the U.K. on Wakefield and two of his colleagues. In a U.K. Telegraph article by Cassandra Jardine on January 29, 2010 titled “GMC Brands Dr. Andrew Wakefield 'Dishonest, Irresponsible and Callous'”, the GMC found Wakefield to be “dishonest, irresponsible and showed callous disregard for the distress and pain of children.”
The two-and-a-half-years panel only looked at how the study was conducted, not the conclusions of the work. Wakefield and two other authors still support their work. They also face losing the right to practice medicine in Britain.
During his son’s birthday party, Wakefield paid five pounds per child for blood samples for the study – and later made jokes about it.
Impact of Wakefield’s MMR Vaccine-Autism Study
This study has caused parents to worry about the effects of the vaccine. Some have decided against allowing their children to get the shot, which has led to a drop in the number of kids who get this vaccination. Jardine says it is currently at 78 per cent in Britain and it has led to more children becoming ill with measles, mumps and rubella. Jardine says in 2009, there were 1,143 cases of measles in England and Wales. It’s a disease that can possibly cause brain damage and death.
Even with the retraction from The Lancet, there are still supporters of this research and some believe the disciplinary panel and retraction are part of a conspiracy against Wakefield.
In a CBC News article on February 2, 2010 titled “Autism-Vaccine Study Retracted”, Dr. Allison McGreer, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital said, “It [the MMR vaccine-autism link study] was out there for a very long time. So it's good The Lancet has retracted it. It helps in a small way. But the truth of the matter is the damage has been done.”
Also check out Mercury in Vaccines.
References:
CBC News. “Autism-Vaccine Study Retracted.” February 2, 2010.
Jardine, Cassandra.“GMC Brands Dr Andrew Wakefield 'Dishonest, Irresponsible and Callous.'” U.K. Telegraph, January 29, 2010.
The Lancet. “Retraction -- Ileal-Lymphoid-Nodular Hyperplasia, Non-Specific Colitis, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder in Children." February 2, 2010.
Tami Nicholson - Tami is the Topic Editor for Parenting Methods at Suite101. She is a mother of two with a background in education and journalism.
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