<![CDATA[MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet]]>Some citations from the British General Medical Council, the editor of Lancet, and others


“Hopefully this will put to rest the notion that the MMR vaccine is causing autism,” said Dr. Ann Neumeyer, medical director of the Lurie Family Autism Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. “There is no medical evidence that shows vaccines cause autism.”

The retraction by The Lancet came after a ruling by Britain’s General Medical Council that Dr. Andrew Wakefield had shown a “callous disregard” for the 12 children used in his study and had provided false information. In subsequent years, multiple studies contradicted the link Wakefield claimed, and 10 of his 14 co-authors removed their names from the study years ago.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/178117.php

Another commentary;

Wakefield was found to have acted unethically and conducted irresponsible research in coming to his—now thoroughly discredited—conclusions. According to Dr. Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, \"It's the most appalling catalog and litany of some the most terrible behavior in any research and is therefore very clear that it has to be retracted.\"

In this case, the actual paper contained no conclusive evidence, merely the suggestion that bowel leakage in children with gastrointestinal problems could cause the measles vaccine to spread into other parts of the body and affect the brain, possibly resulting in autism spectrum disorders.

It was in a subsequent press conference where Wakefield stated that he believed that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines should not be given as a single shot, and instead be broken up into three shots given a year apart to reduce the chances of autism. The British media had a field day with this, and inaccurate reports spread across the pond to the US, where parents feared that the MMR vaccine could be the cause for the dramatic rise in autism cases.

From the following -

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/02/andrew-wakefield-responds-to-article-about-journal-retraction.html

The General Medical Council, Britain's regulator of such affairs, concluded that in his research for the Lancet paper Wakefield acted with \"callous disregard\" for patients by conducting invasive tests on children that were not in their best medical interests. He also failed to obtain approval from his ethics committee for his studies and obtained blood samples for his research by offering 5 pounds to children at a birthday party, the council said. His paper said that the results were obtained with 12 consecutive patients, when that was not the case, according to the council. He also did not disclose that his studies were funded by lawyers who were attempting to sue the vaccine makers in court, nor that he was developing a vaccine that would have been very profitable if the MMR vaccine was discarded, the council said. The council also said it is considering withdrawing Wakefield's license to practice medicine.

My commentary;

This fellow with a bunch of vested interests, conducting unethical research, causing thousands of children and parents unnecessary suffering, and millions of dollars of wasted health care dollars, why would we choose to have any sympathy, let alone have belief in him?

Cue the conspiracy theorists, enter left stage now.......

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/8802/mmr-autism-article-retracted-by-lancetRSS for NodeSun, 26 Apr 2026 05:51:10 GMTMon, 08 Feb 2010 15:45:22 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:54:20 GMT]]>Make no mistake, the findings against Wakefield are not only in ethical conduct but also against his methodologies and manipulations, which render his findings untrustworthy. There is a whole plethora of research which demonstrate the lack of linkage between MMR and autism. If there were indeed a biological basis, the amount of research poured into this would have uncovered it by now.


Is there a cover up, because of cost considerations? Some 'political witch-hunt'?

Conspiracy theorising apart, consider this;

The prevalence rate of autism is estimated at 1 in 100 to 1 in 200. Lets assume that ALL of them are due to MMR. It is estimated that it costs between $20,000 to $50,000 per year for up to 20 years to give an autistic child the care and developmental needs he requires. Assume 30,000 births a year in Singapore, that's 300 cases and therefore $15,000,000 per year economic costs.

Consider the same 30,000 births, and assume that the cost of single dose injections are $100 more than MMR combined injection. That is an additional cost of $3,000,000 per year. That's $12,000,000 less than the previous scenario.

How does that add up? If there were really a link between MMR combined vaccines and autism, nobody, least of all, the health authorities, have any sort of interest in propagating a cover up. It makes absolutely no sense.

Sorry to put it in such cold hard terms. Autism is surely a difficult and personal situation to deal with, hence all the emotion around it.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/172129https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/172129Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:54:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:44:37 GMT]]>There are levels of evidence in medicine. If for instance, you see a young man who does not smoke, but comes down with lung cancer (I know a few), can you conclude that smoking has nothing to do with lung cancer? Certainly not, it is the wrong conclusion based on anecdotal evidence.


Therefore, if a child who receives MMR then goes on to develop autism, does it mean that the MMR caused it? How about the other 99% of children who did not develop autism? How about the multitude of other environmental factors or genetic factors at play?

As to the researcher (Dr Wakefield). Do not forget he had a big VESTED interest in the result, which he DID NOT declare. If you as a concerned parent (like I), do not have the hairs at the back of my neck standing up on that, then i don’t know what will cause you to do so.

Yes, we may choose to believe in conspiracies (i.e., some politics in play, some people out to ‘get’ him, including the General Medical Council of the UK), or we may choose to believe he was an ordinary charlatan and the weight of evidence from a multitude of reknowned researchers and PDs who manage 10s of thousands of children completely debunk his resarch. He who KNEW that some children who took MMR will inevitably go on to develop autism (not due to MMR, but natural course of events or other factors), and that he had a ready-made vulnerable pool of parents waiting to lap up his ‘research’. That is the true cynicism in this whole sordid affair, and the tragedy is the pain and guilt he had caused in parents who buy his story.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/171931https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/171931Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:44:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:09:17 GMT]]>

2ppaamm:

O, where did you get that wise doula from? I didn't know they exist in Singapore. Yep, that was a typo from my smart (but difficult to use) phone. It's supposed to be blur. Aiya, still blur leh.
The concept of home birth, water birth and pain free birth ie using hypnotherapy has caught on here in the last couple of years. Also thanks to the expatriates lah ...

Quite a number of doulas are now offering their services 😄 😄

okie lah :offtopic: liao :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/165123https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/165123Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:09:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:48:30 GMT]]>

autumnbronze:
2ppaamm:




What I trust is what I see, what I experience first. Then, my friends around me.

Another gem of an advice. Thank you :celebrate:
2ppaamm:

I the blue mother went to do everything on time. Now I know better. Delay, delay, delay.
2ppaamm,

You are v v (to the power of infinity) far from being blue (or blur - typo error?).

From many of your postings, you are a mother who ...

- will do anything for her kids (with limits lah, I suppose :D)

- has done her damnest best to provide a nurturing and conducive environment for your kids to thrive to the best of their ability (and will continue to do so)

- will pursue something relentlessly if it'll benefit your kids positively

You have my :salute: :salute:

On a separate note ...

I have to give credit to this lady, a doula by profession, who advised me that I had 'options' and that I had the liberty to choose them at my discretion if I so wanted. If I had not met her, perhaps I would not have been so well informed in arriving at decisions (after months of research/reading and speaking to some pple) with regards to my pregnancy and thereafter, jabs for my DS.

O, where did you get that wise doula from? I didn't know they exist in Singapore. Yep, that was a typo from my smart (but difficult to use) phone. It's supposed to be blur. Aiya, still blur leh.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/165101https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/165101Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:48:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:58:19 GMT]]>

2ppaamm:



What I trust is what I see, what I experience first. Then, my friends around me.
Another gem of an advice. Thank you :celebrate:
2ppaamm:

I the blue mother went to do everything on time. Now I know better. Delay, delay, delay.
2ppaamm,

You are v v (to the power of infinity) far from being blue (or blur - typo error?).

From many of your postings, you are a mother who ...

- will do anything for her kids (with limits lah, I suppose :D)

- has done her damnest best to provide a nurturing and conducive environment for your kids to thrive to the best of their ability (and will continue to do so)

- will pursue something relentlessly if it'll benefit your kids positively

You have my :salute: :salute:

On a separate note ...

I have to give credit to this lady, a doula by profession, who advised me that I had 'options' and that I had the liberty to choose them at my discretion if I so wanted. If I had not met her, perhaps I would not have been so well informed in arriving at decisions (after months of research/reading and speaking to some pple) with regards to my pregnancy and thereafter, jabs for my DS.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/164923https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/164923Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:58:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 08:37:05 GMT]]>

deminc:
can someone tell me where to go for mercury free shots? We stopped all DS2's vaccination after he reacted strangely post his 6-in-1. Within one week he went from a very active baby to listless and limp. He fell off my arm on the sixth day, I caught him but I was taken aback that he had absolutely no reaction to the near-fall - he just stared at me blankly. After one more week he was back to his old self but the incident freaked me out and both dh and I agreed not to continue with his vaccinations regardless of the controversies. But starting to get all the government's letters for not completing his vaccination schedule. Can someone btdt tell me how I should proceed with this? Thanks!

Pls check your PM 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162633https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162633Sun, 18 Apr 2010 08:37:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 08:22:23 GMT]]>can someone tell me where to go for mercury free shots? We stopped all DS2’s vaccination after he reacted strangely post his 6-in-1. Within one week he went from a very active baby to listless and limp. He fell off my arm on the sixth day, I caught him but I was taken aback that he had absolutely no reaction to the near-fall - he just stared at me blankly. After one more week he was back to his old self but the incident freaked me out and both dh and I agreed not to continue with his vaccinations regardless of the controversies. But starting to get all the government’s letters for not completing his vaccination schedule. Can someone btdt tell me how I should proceed with this? Thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162627https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162627Sun, 18 Apr 2010 08:22:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:35:59 GMT]]>

autumnbronze:
Blobbi:



What's very good to know is the MMR jabs these days mercury free. The ones given in school these days are too. Find out how you can avoid getting mercury into your kids' system and go private if it helps (private clinics may have non-mercury versions of vaccines). It's worth it.

Agree with you Blobbi. We specifically requested for a mercury free wan.

We waited until he was a mth b4 2 yrs. Even the PD indirectly encouraged us to, not only for this, but for all the other jabs.

BCG also waited for 2 or 3 days. Interesting how the nurses kept coming into my ward room to ask when when when....

If I do end up having another child, I will wait slightly longer.

I the blue mother went to do everything on time. Now I know better. Delay, delay, delay.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162617https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162617Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:35:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:34:28 GMT]]>

tree nymph:
i just checked the MOH website. Only one shot of BCG at birth, this is to protect against TB.


and yes, no mention of BCG at P6. maybe the BCG vaccine has improved? heng, i didn't develope the lump after i my BCG injection.
P6 BCG has already been made redundant. Can't remember which one, but it was shown that it was not effective at that age and therefore our children didn't have to take it anymore.

Medicine IS an experiment. An ongoing one.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162616https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162616Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:34:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 06:01:08 GMT]]>

Blobbi:


What's very good to know is the MMR jabs these days mercury free. The ones given in school these days are too. Find out how you can avoid getting mercury into your kids' system and go private if it helps (private clinics may have non-mercury versions of vaccines). It's worth it.
Agree with you Blobbi. We specifically requested for a mercury free wan.

We waited until he was a mth b4 2 yrs. Even the PD indirectly encouraged us to, not only for this, but for all the other jabs.

BCG also waited for 2 or 3 days. Interesting how the nurses kept coming into my ward room to ask when when when....

If I do end up having another child, I will wait slightly longer.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162576https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162576Sun, 18 Apr 2010 06:01:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:55:12 GMT]]>

2ppaamm:
OT here, I like your cute little blobbi jumping. Everyone has changed his avatar...

Tks!

On a different note, my son's issues seem to have deteriorated since school started. And it's only been 3.5mths! Have been researching on causality. Think he's got some sensitivities/allergies. He's always had all these benign rashes, but I think they're affecting his behaviour now :(. Maybe it's the buildup over the years.

I'm almost hopeful that it's food issues, because this way I can do something about it. 😞

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162573https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162573Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:55:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:49:17 GMT]]>i just checked the MOH website. Only one shot of BCG at birth, this is to protect against TB.


and yes, no mention of BCG at P6. maybe the BCG vaccine has improved? heng, i didn’t develope the lump after i my BCG injection.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162571https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162571Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:49:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:43:31 GMT]]>

2ppaamm:
Blobbi:

Sorry to hear about this, 2ppaamm.


What's very good to know is the MMR jabs these days mercury free. The ones given in school these days are too. Find out how you can avoid getting mercury into your kids' system and go private if it helps (private clinics may have non-mercury versions of vaccines). It's worth it.

Thanks Blobbi, but a bit too late now. However, I will remember the next time someone needs to do the MMR.

Also, anyone knows why there's no more BCG? The 'boy-chase-girl' we used to talk about and had to take at P6? Did some researchers now say we don't need it? Aiyo! Then I had this lump on my arm for what har?

no BCG? my 19mths one had BCG on the day he was born leh.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162566https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162566Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:43:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:15:49 GMT]]>OT here, I like your cute little blobbi jumping. Everyone has changed his avatar…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162558https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162558Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:15:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:11:39 GMT]]>One more thing. Read carefully. It said they retracted the findings because they were done in an unethical way (what's new), but not that the findings are not true.


Why do you think this finding MUST be wrong? It cannot stand, even if it is true. Read carefully. If the proponents have a choice, it would not to attack the WAY he did his research, but that his research findings are WRONG. When they cannot prove the latter, let's try the former.

This kind of political game hor... we are very familiar, right? Cannot win on points and facts, win on creating personal problem for the opponent lor... makes you wonder why people have to resort to this, right? And makes me believe that 'unethical' guy more. Human nature... always side the underdogs. 😉

Here's fun reading:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8493753.stm

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162557https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162557Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:11:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 04:56:08 GMT]]>

Blobbi:
Sorry to hear about this, 2ppaamm.


What's very good to know is the MMR jabs these days mercury free. The ones given in school these days are too. Find out how you can avoid getting mercury into your kids' system and go private if it helps (private clinics may have non-mercury versions of vaccines). It's worth it.
Thanks Blobbi, but a bit too late now. However, I will remember the next time someone needs to do the MMR.

Also, anyone knows why there's no more BCG? The 'boy-chase-girl' we used to talk about and had to take at P6? Did some researchers now say we don't need it? Aiyo! Then I had this lump on my arm for what har? That scar reminds me constantly that I am but a human specimen. So humbling.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162551https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162551Sun, 18 Apr 2010 04:56:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 04:47:15 GMT]]>

autumnbronze:
2ppaamm:

DS3 (P1) had to go through the normal inoculation last week. Well, no big deal. Until a day later, he developed high fever (39 to 40), again, normal, they said. Then, the next day, he could not walk. Had to go to KK hospital. He was sick for a whole week and now he is ok. Traumatic enough?


No blanket solution for all.

I am still convinced DS2's autism was caused by MMR. First hand experience. O, and that's just me sharing. Delay your inoculation. As late as it almost gets illegal. I didn't - big price to pay.

Up to you guys to believe. Maybe my kids are more sensitive. But how do we know until it happens.

2ppaamm,


:thankyou: for your advice.

Miss you ard here 😄

Aw... so sweet :love: As you can see, I am up to my eye balls with one so sick for the last week, and the special needs kid is having so much problem, because other parents are not understanding and complained when some things happened because of his social disability.

Last week, the principal caned him, but I doubt he understood anything. But that's another story I will share when I get a chance. Thing is, it is so hard to cope with a special needs child, and so hard to raise him in a land where people just do not understand, and children who insist on bullying him verbally and taking advantage of his inability to understand social cues.

But, life goes on. One step at a time. Meanwhile, if I have any advice, even in my very busy schedule, I will issue them.

Don't trust the medical and pharmaceutical industry completely. Many pharmaceutical companies are in for ???? well, the big ones are listed on the stock exchange. Check out this movie that outlined it. Fiction you say? Maybe. Then, those who think so go take your chances. These researchers - whether they tell you inoculation cause autism, or otherwise, I don't trust them.

What I trust is what I see, what I experience first. Then, my friends around me. Researchers? Well, I am one, though not in the medical field. I know how we operate.

Here's that bogus researcher who cause \"I am legend\" disease. Remember har, fictional hor... but fun and a good reminder who researchers really are... we slot, yes, but we are also pressurized for results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHfGSqviKlk

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162547https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162547Sun, 18 Apr 2010 04:47:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 04:46:36 GMT]]>Sorry to hear about this, 2ppaamm.


What’s very good to know is the MMR jabs these days mercury free. The ones given in school these days are too. Find out how you can avoid getting mercury into your kids’ system and go private if it helps (private clinics may have non-mercury versions of vaccines). It’s worth it.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162546https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162546Sun, 18 Apr 2010 04:46:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 03:50:42 GMT]]>

2ppaamm:
DS3 (P1) had to go through the normal inoculation last week. Well, no big deal. Until a day later, he developed high fever (39 to 40), again, normal, they said. Then, the next day, he could not walk. Had to go to KK hospital. He was sick for a whole week and now he is ok. Traumatic enough?


No blanket solution for all.

I am still convinced DS2's autism was caused by MMR. First hand experience. O, and that's just me sharing. Delay your inoculation. As late as it almost gets illegal. I didn't - big price to pay.

Up to you guys to believe. Maybe my kids are more sensitive. But how do we know until it happens.
2ppaamm,


:thankyou: for your advice.

Miss you ard here 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162522https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162522Sun, 18 Apr 2010 03:50:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:35:52 GMT]]>DS3 (P1) had to go through the normal inoculation last week. Well, no big deal. Until a day later, he developed high fever (39 to 40), again, normal, they said. Then, the next day, he could not walk. Had to go to KK hospital. He was sick for a whole week and now he is ok. Traumatic enough?


No blanket solution for all.

I am still convinced DS2’s autism was caused by MMR. First hand experience. O, and that’s just me sharing. Delay your inoculation. As late as it almost gets illegal. I didn’t - big price to pay.

Up to you guys to believe. Maybe my kids are more sensitive. But how do we know until it happens.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162490https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/162490Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:35:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:46:05 GMT]]>

Andaiz:
3Boys, like you - I was shocked when this news of research fraud came to light. Have had MIL screamed at me not once but 3 times when I'd sent the gals to the innoculation precisely based on the findings of this ONE (of the many) unethical, irresponsible and supposedly top notch research.


It points to the danger of mixing economic gains with what is deemed as \"good, socially-responsible science\"...this is rampant, no matter how you see it - how our parents were (over)sold the value of formula milk and its convenience, nutrients etc over breast milk, is proof of this \"conspiracy theory\" but I OT-ed.

Who suffers? Us unsuspecting consumers who really couldn't have known better!
Andaiz,
I couldn't agree more.

I can't tell you how much it frustrates me that charlatans as such get away with painting themselves as 'heroes' of the underdog whilst folk who toil and slog to get the job done properly bear the brunt of suspicion and abuse. There is so much pseudo-science out there, we just have to be extremely careful about wht we take in, particularly from uncontrolled sources.

The worst part is, the damage is already done will take many many years and many many resources to undo, despite the retraction.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/121631https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/121631Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:46:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MMR - Autism article Retracted by Lancet on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:20:38 GMT]]>3Boys, like you - I was shocked when this news of research fraud came to light. Have had MIL screamed at me not once but 3 times when I’d sent the gals to the innoculation precisely based on the findings of this ONE (of the many) unethical, irresponsible and supposedly top notch research.


It points to the danger of mixing economic gains with what is deemed as "good, socially-responsible science"…this is rampant, no matter how you see it - how our parents were (over)sold the value of formula milk and its convenience, nutrients etc over breast milk, is proof of this "conspiracy theory" but I OT-ed.

Who suffers? Us unsuspecting consumers who really couldn’t have known better!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/121432https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/121432Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:20:38 GMT