Do Vaccinations Cause Autism?

Although there is no scientific proof that vaccines cause autism, proponents still believe that they do. The theory that vaccines cause autism were based on unproven facts and falsified information (DeStefano 81). In an article called CNS Drugs, the author writes about how a man named AJ Wakefield stun the public with a theory that the MMR vaccine may cause autism and how enterocolitis (bowel dysfunction) and MMR vaccine may be linked to autism (DeStefano 831). Even though Wakefield falsified information and his theories were proven to be discredited many people still

The controversy over the MMR vaccine started in the late 1990’s when Andrew Wakefield suggested that there was a connection between the MMR vaccine and autism in a scientific paper which he had published with several other co-authors. Although there has not been a proven fact that the MMR vaccine is the causation to autism it has brought concerns to parents and has caused a major drop in immunization rates. For example, Dannetun et al., 2005 states that, “Fear of side effects and beliefs

In 1998, the British medical journal called The Lancet published a controversial research paper written by Andrew Wakefield. In the research paper “Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children, ” Andrew Wakefield et al. attempted to link MMR (Mumps, Measles, Rubella) vaccinations and autism. Nevertheless, the paper seemed to successfully do that. However, this was not known was at the time was Wakefield had tampered with the findings. Furthermore, this was brought to light in 2004 by British journalist Brian Deer. In 2011, thirteen years after The Lancet published the paper, and seven years after Brian Deer exposed the paper. The Lancet finally retracted the article. A common theory

This led to the support of various unproven vaccine-autism theories by parents in both the UK and America. After findings of intestinal disease in children with autism, Wakefield claimed that separating the MMR into three different vaccinations would be safer. Since then, Wakefield’s research has been discredited, he was charged with serious professional misconduct by the General Medical Council for violating several ethical practices, and he was investigated for failing to disclose conflict of interest – a pending patent on a rival measles vaccine (Gross, 2009). Although false, many still believe wholeheartedly that vaccines are harmful.

The whole MMR vaccination and Autism inspiration was first brought about by three key points. In the book “The Everything Parent 's Guide To Vaccines: Balanced, Professional Advice To Help You Make The Best Decision For Your Child” the author told what they were in an authentic way. It stated “The first was an observation that the number of children diagnosed with Autism increased dramatically right around the same time the MMR combination vaccine became introduced in the United States and Great Britain. The second was based on a study by Dr. Andrew Wakefield in 1998 Published in the respected scientific journal Lancet. The third is based on the fact that children with Autism were first diagnosed with the condition right after they received the MMR vaccine.” (Leslie 67). However, these three points didn’t gain an exceptional start since Dr. Wakefield was later found not credible, and his license is under legal indictment (Leslie 69). Since Dr. Wakefield did not follow through with a credible study, it severely damaged his followers opinions and did not help the theory that Autism and vaccinations are linked.

In recent years more and more parents have become misled by fallacious claims towards vaccinations which have caused for a decrease in childhood vaccinations for preventable diseases cause side effects such as autism and sudden infant death syndrome. The study that influenced many parents to not vaccinate their children was done by Andrew Wakefield, and his study claimed that vaccines such as Measles, Mumps, and

For years the topic of vaccination and its link to Autism has been a very controversial topic. In America, it has been an intense debate for decades. Many parents feel as though they shouldn’t have to vaccinate or be required to vaccinate their children because vaccinations can cause diseases like autism and even death. Others feel that their children shouldn’t have to risk getting infected by a child that hasn’t been vaccinated. Many people feel as if those who don’t get vaccinated are a danger to society. The government has put protocols in place for children when it comes to vaccinations. The parents who disagree with those protocols make special arrangements for their children, so that they are not exposed to the potential risks of

One such factor helping to manifest these large-scale epidemics is a study from 1998 by Andrew Wakefield, which claimed that there was a direct link between autism and the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine (Smith 1). As a result, many parents refused to vaccinate their children out of fear, and vaccine-preventable diseases like measles began reappearing more in both America and Britain, the place where Wakefield conducted his study (Cohen 2). Although a later investigation by the British Medical Journal discovered that Wakefield had distorted or altered the medical records of all twelve of the study’s participants and that he had been paid $674,000 USD by lawyers attempting to sue vaccine manufacturers, the atmosphere of apprehension surrounding vaccines is still strong among many individuals, and especially parents (Cohen 1-2). But despite all the controversy and the scientifically unsupported arguments of anti-vaccine sympathizers,

Immunizations protect children from dangerous diseases, which include: diphtheria, meningitis, tetanus, polio, measles, and the whooping cough (Vaccines, 2015). The controversial debate arose in 1998 concerning a link between the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine and autism by Andrew Wakefield. However, his claims and theories on the matter has been discredited due to his

Since Dr. Andrew Wakefield’s study came out in 1998 there has been great debate about whether or not vaccinations can cause autism. The number of cases of preventable diseases has increased significantly since Dr Andrew Wakefield’s paper about the link between MMR and Autism was published. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported in 2015 there were 189 cases reported; and in 2014 the US experienced a record number of cases with a shocking 667 cases in one year. The numbers continue to go up as the years go by due to the fear of the vaccinations causing autism. This is a large amount of cases per year with the availability of a vaccine, these cases should be much lower or non existent at all. Vaccination not only protects healthy children, but it also protects children who are not strong enough to get the vaccine themselves. Thesis

With so much evidence to disprove that vaccines cause autism, why is this still a question in our society? Thanks to the media continuously covering stories about mothers who have children with autism, and celebrities who support the unlink of autism causing vaccines. A reason brought up often when talking with an anti-vaccine person, is that the side effects of vaccines are being covered up by big business. When looking at reasons why a big corporation or the government would do that, there isn’t a lot to reason with. Large corporations and the government need it’s people to run correctly. The common working class is the foundation of any successful business and the higher ranking people make sure that they(the higher ranking) can keep the people working for them. Without the working class, production lines would stop and be shut down, cutting the profits they make annually. If a large number of those people(the working class) is sick, dying, or already dead, they would also lose profits. If they make a luxury good, such as perfume, expensive shoes, and even cars, their annual sales will plummet if a large enough portion of the population gets sick since the families will be paying for hospital bills instead of vacations and other unneeded necessities. It’s not in the interest of big corporations therefore, for the working class to risk their lives and their children’s lives against something that could have been prevented.

Politicians are having a hard time finding a common ground on the issue of autism and vaccinations. The link between autism and vaccinations was connected by a study made by Doctor Andrew Wakefield, but was broken in 2010 when the study on the issue was discredited(UWIRE). Regardless of the discredited study, politicians are still debating over the link between autism and vaccinations, even within the three members of the Republican party. The first candidate, Rand Paul,plans to spread out vaccine doses because it seems like it would be safer for children overall. Likewise, Donald Trump plans on spreading out vaccine doses, but in order to prevent

In this article the authors examine the claims made by a team of researchers led by Andrew Wakefield, linking the MMR vaccine with autism and other developmental disorders. The authors uncovered that some of the research conducted by the team was fraudulent. The authors critique the fact that the study was serious, with no clear control or adherence to the scientific method. However, its findings it starting the vaccination scare. The authors cite the tenacity of journalist Brian Deer for his help in uncovering the falsification. This article is helpful in understand the roots of the anti-vaccination movement as it will give me reference to present my argument.

According to Tafuri, Martinelli , Prato and Germinario (2011) the anti-vaccination movement was started by Andrew Wakefield in 1998. Wakefield published a paper in the Lancet of a study he conducted of twenty patients. This published study determined that autism and some forms of colitis were caused by the MMR vaccine (pg.1). Despite the fact the study has been discredited by medical professionals, and retracted by the Lancet, parents are still choosing not to vaccinate their children based on these falsified reports. Newer research reported by CNN as published by the British medical journal determines Wakefield, “misrepresented or altered the medical histories of all 12 of the patients whose cases

Scientific studies have not proven a link between vaccinations and autism with enteropathy. In 1998, European physician Andrew Wakefield published a case study in which he claimed to have found a link between the MMR vaccine and autism with enteropathy. As a result, many parents all across the world became fearful of vaccinating their children against