Thirteen British scientists, led by gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield, M.D., studied twelve previously normal children between the ages of 3 and 10 years of age who developed severe intestinal disorders following MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination. 8 of 12 children also developed behavior problems and developmental impairment soon after MMR vaccination, diagnosed as autism.
The scientists were immediately attacked by the Centers For Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics, who attempted to publicly discredit the study.
The team of British Scientists did not specify that they had found a causal relationship between the vaccine and the disorders. They did, however, call for more studies to determine whether persistent viral infection (from natural disease or live virus vaccination) can lead to chronic inflammation of the bowel and damage to the central nervous system in some children.
The Autism Research Institute and the Cure Autism Now Foundation (CAN) joined with the National Vaccine Information Center to support additional independent research studies into the possible link between vaccines and autism.
Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., founder and director of the Autism Research Institute and founder of the Autism Society of America commented, “It is ludicrous to claim that the link between many cases of Autism and vaccination is just coincidental… The blunt truth is that some children are harmed by vaccines. Research, not denial, is the proper response to this report.”
Source: The Chiropractic Journal, Barbara Loe Fisher, October 1998
