Lancet Retracts Study Linking Autism and Vaccines

The process of editorial and peer-review is not perfect, and given the number of papers that are published there is no way to keep dubious, even fraudulent, research from slipping past the goalies(I.E. Doctors and Researchers). But peer-review does not stop when a paper is published – in fact that is when it begins in earnest. So it is common for serious problems with a paper to be discovered only after they are published. It's a shame that the lancet took so long to retract the paper.

It should also be noted that 10 of the original 12 authors retracted their names from the paper due to the abuse that Wakefield committed.

Turning to people such as the one you quoted(generationrescue) is not the answer, they continue to look for the boogie man in the wrong places. Doing this only generates noise that distracts from finding the actual cause of autism. Consider how much time and money was spent on disproving Wakefield, that money could have been spent in a better way.

Even though there has been a mountain of evidence compiled to show Wakefield was wrong you still believe him...why?

This has nothing to do with an article "slipping past the (editorial) goalie." It is without a doubt about MONEY. When Wakefield's article was published 12 years ago, the press had a field day and distorted the facts. It NEVER said that the MMR vaccine causes autism! He said that further research was needed as their may be a connection. British parents panicked and fewer vaccinated their children. Pediatricians were stuck with (pre-paid) shots and subsequently purchased less from the pharmaceutical companies. Something had to be done - someone had to take the fall. Have you ever heard of a pharmaceutical company in financial trouble? Not even in this economy!

Hundreds of doctors/scientists/practitioners have since printed 1000's of articles but he was the first and therefore was attacked as a threat to the establishment. I personally met Dr. Wakefield at a DAN! conference last April, read "the" article and listened to his presentation. He was the closing speaker after a dozen others. The audience was captivated by all but not until Wakefield took the podium did the press arrive with cameras and lights galore. Though all had the same message! Enviromental triggers can cause autism.

Why do I believe him? I believe IN him and others who are not in the Big Pharma's pocket. Wakefield, despite being professionally and personally slaughtered, has stood up for parents nationwide & worldwide. SOMETHING HAPPENED TO OUR KIDS. I have done my best to defend the position but others do it much better:

http://www.generationrescue.org/wakefield_statement2.html

http://www.autismone.org/content/second-looking-case-dr-andrew-j-wakefield-william-long-mdiv-phd-jd

Parents: Don't give up. Read EVERYTHING you can get your hands on. (I even read Paul Offit's book. He failed to mention the $100 million dollars his Rotavirus vaccine made for him.) Fight for your children. Many children recover from an autism diagnosis. Autism is treatable.

I agree with Bonnie, the medical proponents around the world are despartately afraid of their potential libility of the MMR vaccinations, and thus do everything in their power to retract the findings of Wakefield. I agree, the MMR (and most all childhood) vaccanations are important and essential for all. What I am questioning is who in their right mind would use a well know toxin such as Mercury in a vaccine as a preservative. It is probablly very effective and cheap, and in such a low dose wasn't considered a hazard, and the drug companies want to make these as cheap and convienent as possible, while at the same time as effective as possible, so they are going to produce their vaccinations as cheaply and effective as possible, using whatever components considered "safe". My remaining comment would be who would have their child injected with mercury? Anyone? Doctors?