Dr. Andrew Wakefield Scientifically
Proved That Vaccines Caused Autism
New Evidence Refutes Fraud Findings
in Dr. Andrew Wakefield Case
By
Dr. Mercola
Dr. Mercola
In February 1998, the Lancet published Dr. Andrew
Wakefield’s case series of a group of autistic children with gastric problems,
which has become one of the most controversial studies in medicine because part
of the patients’ story included regression after receiving the MMR vaccine.
Wakefield’s case series of a group of autistic children with gastric problems,
which has become one of the most controversial studies in medicine because part
of the patients’ story included regression after receiving the MMR vaccine.
The debate is a heated one, as the study suggests there may
be a link between the MMR vaccine, bowel disease and autism.
be a link between the MMR vaccine, bowel disease and autism.
In an interview I conducted with Dr. Wakefield in 2010, he
said he knew he was about to enter treacherous waters when the study was
published, and he expected the inevitable backlash from the vaccine industry.
said he knew he was about to enter treacherous waters when the study was
published, and he expected the inevitable backlash from the vaccine industry.
However, “backlash” is putting it mildly, as Dr. Wakefield’s
reputation was completely smeared.
reputation was completely smeared.
The latest revelations in this controversy add yet another
twist, and suggest that a series of articles published by the
BMJ in January 2011 alleging that
Wakefield
falsified data, making the original Lancet article fraudulent, were in fact the
inaccurate ones …
twist, and suggest that a series of articles published by the
BMJ in January 2011 alleging that
Wakefield
falsified data, making the original Lancet article fraudulent, were in fact the
inaccurate ones …
New Investigation Defends Wakefield’s Lancet
Study
At the heart of the Wakefield controversy has been whether
or not the children in the study were, in fact, diagnosed with non-specific
colitis, or if that information had been fabricated — allegations that were
largely initiated byinvestigative journalist Brian Deer.
or not the children in the study were, in fact, diagnosed with non-specific
colitis, or if that information had been fabricated — allegations that were
largely initiated byinvestigative journalist Brian Deer.
Writing in the BMJ, research microbiologist
David Lewis, of the National
Whistleblowers Center,
explains that he reviewed histopathological grading sheets by two of Dr.
Wakefield’s coauthors, pathologists Amar Dhillon and Andrew Anthony, and
concluded there was no fraud committed by Dr. Wakefield:
David Lewis, of the National
Whistleblowers Center,
explains that he reviewed histopathological grading sheets by two of Dr.
Wakefield’s coauthors, pathologists Amar Dhillon and Andrew Anthony, and
concluded there was no fraud committed by Dr. Wakefield:
“As a research microbiologist involved with
the collection and examination of colonic biopsy samples, I do not believe that
Dr. Wakefield intentionally misinterpreted the grading sheets as evidence of
“non-specific colitis.” Dhillon indicated “non-specific” in a box associated,
in some cases, with other forms of colitis. In addition, if Anthony’s grading
sheets are similar to ones he completed for the Lancet article, they suggest
that he diagnosed “colitis” in a number of the children.”
the collection and examination of colonic biopsy samples, I do not believe that
Dr. Wakefield intentionally misinterpreted the grading sheets as evidence of
“non-specific colitis.” Dhillon indicated “non-specific” in a box associated,
in some cases, with other forms of colitis. In addition, if Anthony’s grading
sheets are similar to ones he completed for the Lancet article, they suggest
that he diagnosed “colitis” in a number of the children.”
In a press release, Lewis continued:
“The grading sheets and other evidence in
Wakefield’s files clearly show that it is unreasonable to conclude, based on a
comparison of the histological records, that Andrew Wakefield ‘faked’ a link
between the MMR vaccine and autism.
Wakefield’s files clearly show that it is unreasonable to conclude, based on a
comparison of the histological records, that Andrew Wakefield ‘faked’ a link
between the MMR vaccine and autism.
Now that these records have seen the light
of day, it is time for others to stop using them for this purpose as well.
False allegations of research misconduct can destroy the careers of even the
most accomplished and reputable scientists overnight. It may take years for
them to prove their innocence; and even then the damages are often irreparable.
In cases where mistakes are made, every effort should be taken to fully restore
the reputations and careers of scientists who are falsely accused of research
misconduct.”
of day, it is time for others to stop using them for this purpose as well.
False allegations of research misconduct can destroy the careers of even the
most accomplished and reputable scientists overnight. It may take years for
them to prove their innocence; and even then the damages are often irreparable.
In cases where mistakes are made, every effort should be taken to fully restore
the reputations and careers of scientists who are falsely accused of research
misconduct.”
Wakefield is Not the Only Researcher to
Look
Into the Possible Connection Between
MMR Vaccine, Bowel Disease and Autism
While the press continues to battle over Dr. Wakefield’s
purported guilt or innocence, the bigger issue — that there appears to be a
connection between inflammation, and particularly gut inflammation, and autism
— is getting lost in the shuffle. Plus, other research has confirmed Wakefield’s hotly
contested findings, linking the MMR triple vaccine with bowel disease and
autism — contrary to what you might hear in the press.
purported guilt or innocence, the bigger issue — that there appears to be a
connection between inflammation, and particularly gut inflammation, and autism
— is getting lost in the shuffle. Plus, other research has confirmed Wakefield’s hotly
contested findings, linking the MMR triple vaccine with bowel disease and
autism — contrary to what you might hear in the press.
” … a team from the Wake Forest University
School of Medicine in North Carolina are examining 275 children with regressive
autism and bowel disease – and of the 82 tested so far, 70 prove positive for
the measles virus … the team’s leader, Dr Stephen Walker, said: ‘Of the handful
of results we have in so far, all are vaccine strain and none are wild measles.
School of Medicine in North Carolina are examining 275 children with regressive
autism and bowel disease – and of the 82 tested so far, 70 prove positive for
the measles virus … the team’s leader, Dr Stephen Walker, said: ‘Of the handful
of results we have in so far, all are vaccine strain and none are wild measles.
This research proves that in the
gastrointestinal tract of a number of children who have been diagnosed with
regressive autism, there is evidence of measles virus. What it means is that
the study done earlier by Dr Wakefield and published in 1998 is correct.
gastrointestinal tract of a number of children who have been diagnosed with
regressive autism, there is evidence of measles virus. What it means is that
the study done earlier by Dr Wakefield and published in 1998 is correct.
That study didn’t draw any conclusions about
specifically what it means to find measles virus in the gut, but the
implication is it may be coming from the MMR vaccine. If that’s the case, and
this live virus is residing in the gastrointestinal tract of some children, and
then they have GI inflammation and other problems, it may be related to the
MMR.”
specifically what it means to find measles virus in the gut, but the
implication is it may be coming from the MMR vaccine. If that’s the case, and
this live virus is residing in the gastrointestinal tract of some children, and
then they have GI inflammation and other problems, it may be related to the
MMR.”
The lead researcher, Stephen J. Walker, Ph.D., was also
quick to state however, that this does not necessarily mean the MMR vaccine
causes autism. Still, his research notes the same connection that Wakefield’s team did,
which is that many autistic children have chronic bowel inflammation, and have
the vaccine strain of the measles virus in their intestines.
quick to state however, that this does not necessarily mean the MMR vaccine
causes autism. Still, his research notes the same connection that Wakefield’s team did,
which is that many autistic children have chronic bowel inflammation, and have
the vaccine strain of the measles virus in their intestines.
Says Dr. Wakefield of his original 1998 findings:
“… it’s been replicated in Canada, in the U.S.,
in Venezuela, in Italy… [but]
they never get mentioned. All you ever hear is that no one else has ever been
able to replicate the findings. I’m afraid that is false.”
in Venezuela, in Italy… [but]
they never get mentioned. All you ever hear is that no one else has ever been
able to replicate the findings. I’m afraid that is false.”
You can see a list of 28 studies from around the world that
support Dr. Wakefield’s controversial findings in this past article. In addition to his hotly
contested MMR study, Dr. Wakefield has published dozens of peer-reviewed papers
looking at the mechanism and cause of inflammatory bowel disease, and has
extensively investigated the brain-bowel connection in the context of children
with developmental disorders such as autism. As described below, other
researchers are also doing the same …
support Dr. Wakefield’s controversial findings in this past article. In addition to his hotly
contested MMR study, Dr. Wakefield has published dozens of peer-reviewed papers
looking at the mechanism and cause of inflammatory bowel disease, and has
extensively investigated the brain-bowel connection in the context of children
with developmental disorders such as autism. As described below, other
researchers are also doing the same …
What You Should Know About Gut Health and
Autism …
In her research, Dr. Campbell-McBride discovered that nearly
all of the mothers of autistic children have abnormal gut flora, which is
significant because newborns inherit their gut flora from their mothers at the
time of birth. Establishing normal gut flora in the first 20 days or so of life
plays a crucial role in the maturation of your baby’s immune system. Babies who
develop abnormal gut flora are left with compromised immune systems, putting
them at higher risk for suffering vaccine reactions.
all of the mothers of autistic children have abnormal gut flora, which is
significant because newborns inherit their gut flora from their mothers at the
time of birth. Establishing normal gut flora in the first 20 days or so of life
plays a crucial role in the maturation of your baby’s immune system. Babies who
develop abnormal gut flora are left with compromised immune systems, putting
them at higher risk for suffering vaccine reactions.
If your baby has suboptimal gut flora, vaccines can become
the proverbial “last straw”—the trigger that “primes” his/her immune system to
develop chronic heath problems.
the proverbial “last straw”—the trigger that “primes” his/her immune system to
develop chronic heath problems.
In short, there is a close connection between abnormal gut
flora and abnormal brain development—a condition Dr. Campbell-McBride calls Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS).The best
way to prevent GAPS is for the mother to avoid all antibiotics and birth
control pills prior to conception and then by breastfeeding and avoiding the
use of antibiotics after delivering. This is because they destroy the
balance of gut floras and promote the growth of pathogenic bacteria. In addition
to breastfeeding,
flora and abnormal brain development—a condition Dr. Campbell-McBride calls Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS).The best
way to prevent GAPS is for the mother to avoid all antibiotics and birth
control pills prior to conception and then by breastfeeding and avoiding the
use of antibiotics after delivering. This is because they destroy the
balance of gut floras and promote the growth of pathogenic bacteria. In addition
to breastfeeding,
I highly recommend the use of fermented foods and probiotics for your babyto help reduce his/her
risk of GAPS.
risk of GAPS.
Fortunately, it’s possible to screen your child for GAPS
before he or she is vaccinated, so that you can make a better-informed
vaccination decision. Dr. Campbell-McBride describes the entire process in her book. It involves providing a detailed
family health history to a knowledgeable healthcare provider, combined with
stool and urine analysis, and these combine to give you a picture of your
baby’s gut health and overall immune status.Dr. Campbell-McBride states:
before he or she is vaccinated, so that you can make a better-informed
vaccination decision. Dr. Campbell-McBride describes the entire process in her book. It involves providing a detailed
family health history to a knowledgeable healthcare provider, combined with
stool and urine analysis, and these combine to give you a picture of your
baby’s gut health and overall immune status.Dr. Campbell-McBride states:
“If
your child has abnormal gut flora, we can assume that your child has
compromised immunity, and these childrenmust
not be vaccinated with the standard vaccination protocol because they simply get damaged by it.
They should not be vaccinated.”
your child has abnormal gut flora, we can assume that your child has
compromised immunity, and these childrenmust
not be vaccinated with the standard vaccination protocol because they simply get damaged by it.
They should not be vaccinated.”
These non-invasive tests are now available in most
laboratories around the world for, typically, $80 to $100 each. This cost is
insignificant compared to the incredible expense of treating an autistic child,
once the damage is done.
laboratories around the world for, typically, $80 to $100 each. This cost is
insignificant compared to the incredible expense of treating an autistic child,
once the damage is done.
New research published by the American Society for
Microbiology further
contends:
Microbiology further
contends:
“Many children with autism have
gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances that can complicate clinical management and
contribute to behavioral problems. Understanding the molecular and microbial
underpinnings of these GI issues is of paramount importance for elucidating
pathogenesis, rendering diagnosis, and administering informed treatment.
gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances that can complicate clinical management and
contribute to behavioral problems. Understanding the molecular and microbial
underpinnings of these GI issues is of paramount importance for elucidating
pathogenesis, rendering diagnosis, and administering informed treatment.
Here we describe an association between high
levels of intestinal, mucoepithelial-associated Sutterella species and GI
disturbances in children with autism. These findings elevate this
little-recognized bacterium to the forefront by demonstrating that Sutterella
is a major component of the microbiota in over half of children with autism and
gastrointestinal dysfunction (AUT-GI) and is absent in children with only
gastrointestinal dysfunction (Control-GI) evaluated in this study.”
levels of intestinal, mucoepithelial-associated Sutterella species and GI
disturbances in children with autism. These findings elevate this
little-recognized bacterium to the forefront by demonstrating that Sutterella
is a major component of the microbiota in over half of children with autism and
gastrointestinal dysfunction (AUT-GI) and is absent in children with only
gastrointestinal dysfunction (Control-GI) evaluated in this study.”
Remember, you make serious, at times life-and-death,
decisions based on what and who you believe … The avalanche of autism must be
curbed—and quickly! And for now the burden rests on you, the parent, to take
control of your and your child’s health, and to arm yourself with information
that can have life-altering ramifications when it comes to making health care
decisions.
decisions based on what and who you believe … The avalanche of autism must be
curbed—and quickly! And for now the burden rests on you, the parent, to take
control of your and your child’s health, and to arm yourself with information
that can have life-altering ramifications when it comes to making health care
decisions.
Please, as always, make your vaccination decisions educated ones.
Protect Your Right
to Informed Consent and Defend Vaccine Exemptions
With all the uncertainty surrounding the safety and efficacy
of vaccines, it’s critical to protect your right to make independent health
choices and exercise voluntary informed consent to vaccination. It is urgent
that everyone in America
stand up and fight to protect and expand vaccine informed consent protections
in state public health and employment laws. The best way to do this is to get
personally involved with your state legislators and educating the leaders in
your community.
of vaccines, it’s critical to protect your right to make independent health
choices and exercise voluntary informed consent to vaccination. It is urgent
that everyone in America
stand up and fight to protect and expand vaccine informed consent protections
in state public health and employment laws. The best way to do this is to get
personally involved with your state legislators and educating the leaders in
your community.
THINK
GLOBALLY,
GLOBALLY,
ACT LOCALLY.
National vaccine policy recommendations are made at the
federal level but vaccine laws are made at the state level. It is at the state
level where your action to protect your vaccine choice rights can have the
greatest impact.
federal level but vaccine laws are made at the state level. It is at the state
level where your action to protect your vaccine choice rights can have the
greatest impact.
It is critical for EVERYONE to get involved now in standing
up for the legal right to make voluntary vaccine choices in America because
those
up for the legal right to make voluntary vaccine choices in America because
those
choices are being threatened by lobbyists
representing drug companies,
medical trade associations,
AMERICN MEDICIDE ASSOCIATION AMA
COUNTY OTTO ORKIN DOCTOR SOCIETY and
public health officials, who are
t
rying to
persuade legislators to
persuade legislators to
strip all vaccine exemptions
from public health laws.
Signing up for NVIC’s free Advocacy Portal at www.NVICAdvocacy.org
gives you immediate, easy access to your own state legislators on your smart
phone or computer so you can make your voice heard. You will be kept up-to-date
on the latest state bills threatening your vaccine choice rights and get
practical, useful information to help you become an effective vaccine choice
advocate in your own community. Also, when national vaccine issues come up, you
will have the up-to-date information and call to action items you need at your
fingertips.
gives you immediate, easy access to your own state legislators on your smart
phone or computer so you can make your voice heard. You will be kept up-to-date
on the latest state bills threatening your vaccine choice rights and get
practical, useful information to help you become an effective vaccine choice
advocate in your own community. Also, when national vaccine issues come up, you
will have the up-to-date information and call to action items you need at your
fingertips.
So please, as your first step,
Share Your Story
with the Media and People You Know
If you or a family member has suffered a serious vaccine
reaction, injury, or death, please talk about it. If we don’t share information
and experiences with one another, everybody feels alone and afraid to speak up.Write a letter to the editor if you have a different perspective on a vaccine
story that appears in your local newspaper. Make a call in to a radio talk show
that is only presenting one side of the vaccine story.
reaction, injury, or death, please talk about it. If we don’t share information
and experiences with one another, everybody feels alone and afraid to speak up.Write a letter to the editor if you have a different perspective on a vaccine
story that appears in your local newspaper. Make a call in to a radio talk show
that is only presenting one side of the vaccine story.
I must be frank with you; you have to be brave because you
might be strongly criticized for daring to talk about the “other side” of the
vaccine story. Be prepared for it and have the courage to not back down. Only
by sharing our perspective and what we know to be true about vaccination will
the public conversation about vaccination open up so people are not afraid to
talk about it.
might be strongly criticized for daring to talk about the “other side” of the
vaccine story. Be prepared for it and have the courage to not back down. Only
by sharing our perspective and what we know to be true about vaccination will
the public conversation about vaccination open up so people are not afraid to
talk about it.
We cannot allow the drug companies and medical trade
associations funded by drug companies or
public health officials promoting
forced use of a growing list of vaccines to
dominate the conversation
about
vaccination.
vaccination.
The vaccine injured cannot be swept under the carpet and treated
like nothing more than “statistically acceptable collateral damage” of national
one-size-fits-all mandatory vaccination policies that put way too many people
at risk for injury and death. We shouldn’t be treating people like guinea pigs
instead of human beings.
like nothing more than “statistically acceptable collateral damage” of national
one-size-fits-all mandatory vaccination policies that put way too many people
at risk for injury and death. We shouldn’t be treating people like guinea pigs
instead of human beings.
Internet Resources
Where You Can Learn More
I encourage you to visit the website of the non-profit
charity, the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), atwww.NVIC.org:
charity, the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), atwww.NVIC.org:
§ NVIC Memorial for Vaccine Victims:
View descriptions and photos of children and adults, who have suffered vaccine
reactions, injuries, and deaths. If you or your child experiences an adverse
vaccine event, please consider posting and sharing your story here.
View descriptions and photos of children and adults, who have suffered vaccine
reactions, injuries, and deaths. If you or your child experiences an adverse
vaccine event, please consider posting and sharing your story here.
§ If You Vaccinate, Ask 8 Questions:
Learn how to recognize vaccine reaction symptoms and prevent vaccine injuries.
Learn how to recognize vaccine reaction symptoms and prevent vaccine injuries.
§ Vaccine
Freedom Wall: View or post descriptions of harassment and
sanctions by doctors, employers, and school and health officials for making
independent vaccine choices.
Freedom Wall: View or post descriptions of harassment and
sanctions by doctors, employers, and school and health officials for making
independent vaccine choices.
§ Vaccine Failure Wall: View or post descriptions about vaccines that
have failed to work and protect the vaccinated from disease.
have failed to work and protect the vaccinated from disease.
Connect with Your
Doctor or
Find a New One That Will Listen and
Care
If your pediatrician or doctor refuses to provide medical
care to you or your child unless you agree to get vaccines you don’t want, I
strongly encourage you to have the courage to find another doctor. Harassment,
intimidation, and refusal of medical care is becoming the modus operandi of the
medical establishment in an effort to stop the change in attitude of many
parents about vaccinations after they become truly educated about health and
vaccination.
care to you or your child unless you agree to get vaccines you don’t want, I
strongly encourage you to have the courage to find another doctor. Harassment,
intimidation, and refusal of medical care is becoming the modus operandi of the
medical establishment in an effort to stop the change in attitude of many
parents about vaccinations after they become truly educated about health and
vaccination.
However, there is hope.
At least 15 percent of young doctors recently polled admit
that they’re starting to adopt a more individualized approach to vaccinations
in direct response to the vaccine safety concerns of parents. It is good news
that there is a growing number of smart young doctors, who prefer to work as
partners with parents in making personalized vaccine decisions for children,
including delaying vaccinations or giving children fewer vaccines on the same
day or continuing to provide medical care for those families, who decline use
of one or more vaccines.
that they’re starting to adopt a more individualized approach to vaccinations
in direct response to the vaccine safety concerns of parents. It is good news
that there is a growing number of smart young doctors, who prefer to work as
partners with parents in making personalized vaccine decisions for children,
including delaying vaccinations or giving children fewer vaccines on the same
day or continuing to provide medical care for those families, who decline use
of one or more vaccines.
So take the time to locate a doctor, who treats you with
compassion and respect and is willing to work with you to do what is right for
your child.
compassion and respect and is willing to work with you to do what is right for
your child.
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