Dr. Wakefield Trial (mmr/autism Possible Link)

[AndreaB]

For anyone interested, please read through and sign the petition in support of Dr. Wakefield and what he has tried to do in bringing the fact that some children given the triple jab MMR regress into autism. He's under fire for bringing this out in the open. Hearing/trial starts in London in July. This is not just about autism, it's about a doctor's willingness to think outside the box, listen to his patients, research solutions and being shut down for it.

NVIC e-news

"....parents who believe their children's autism has been triggered by the [MMR] vaccine are planning to show their support for the doctor outside next month's disciplinary hearing in London. In addition, an online petition to demand the government and health organisations "stop investigating the doctors and start investigating the patients" has collected more than 4000 signatures. Campaigner Bill Welsh, president of the Edinburgh-based Autism Treatment Trust, claimed Wakefield was the victim of a "medical establishment witch-hunt". "Dr Wakefield listened to the parents about their children's disease, clinically investigated the children and reported what he found - where is the crime in that?" he said. "This trial undermines the possibility of any future independent scientific research that might challenge establishment policy." The petition, started by campaigner Nigel Thomas - who has two brothers diagnosed with autism - states: "I have seen first-hand their decline, seen them screaming in pain and I have seen how all but a handful of doctors repeatedly refused to investigate their problems, brushing off the family's concerns and leaving us helpless, like thousands of other families around the world." - Judith Duffy, Sunday Mail

"This is not just about MMR, not just about mercury in vaccines and in the end, not just about autism. This is about a public health disaster of gigantic proportions that will affect this generation and generations to come, and those responsible must be brought to account. It is about the refusal of mainstream medicine to accept the consequences of their actions. It is about the refusal to treat a condition that is becoming almost commonplace; a condition for which the medical profession is largely responsible; a condition whose existence the medical profession ruthlessly denies in the light of its culpability. From its first day and for its duration the GMC hearing will be a window on this world of deceit. My brothers and I will be outside the building on day one and we will not be standing alone. Be there with us if you can, but at the very least, sign this petition for us to present on the day." - Nigel Thomas, Author, "Autism: Stop the Deceit, Start the Treatment Petition

"A former Government medical officer responsible for deciding whether medicines are safe has accused the Government of "utterly inexplicable complacency" over the MMR triple vaccine for children. Dr Peter Fletcher, who was Chief Scientific Officer at the Department of Health, said if it is proven that the jab causes autism, "the refusal by governments to evaluate the risks properly will make this one of the greatest scandals in medical history". He added that after agreeing to be an expert witness on drug-safety trials for parents' lawyers, he had received and studied thousands of documents relating to the case which he believed the public had a right to see. He said he has seen a "steady accumulation of evidence" from scientists worldwide that the measles, mumps and rubella jab is causing brain damage in certain children. But he added: "There are very powerful people in positions of great authority in Britain and elsewhere who have staked their reputations and careers on the safety of MMR and they are willing to do almost anything to protect themselves." - Sue Corrigan, Daily Mail

"My son had the MMR jab a week after his first birthday and suffered the normal side effects connected with the vaccine. However, his symptoms persisted and got dangerously worse. "Within a week he had a purple rash and his whole body had swollen up like the Michelin Man. He wouldn't stop screaming, it was quite clear he wasn't well. It did die down but all his normal functions, like eye contact and dialogue he knew before, had gone since the jabs. While in Alder Hey Children's Hospital with his older sister, I noticed a poster on the wall about autism which listed the symptoms, and he had seven of the 10. It was then I made the connection between the MMR jab and autism." Donna was referred to Rhuddlan Children's Centre and a consultant psychologist confirmed her son was autistic."- Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

Barbara Loe Fisher Commentary:

In a few weeks, Andrew Wakefield, M.D., will be defending himself against charges of professional misconduct lodged against him by British physicians running the General Medical Council of England. At the heart of the matter is the medical establishment's fury at Dr. Wakefield for daring to publish an hypothesis in the Lancet in 1998 that provided clinical evidence for an association between MMR vaccine, intestinal bowel disease and autism. Subsequently, Dr. Wakefield suggested that some genetically vulnerable children might be unable to handle being injected with three live attenuated viral vaccines at once, pointing out that children rarely are simultaneously infected with wild type measles, mumps and rubella infections in nature.

Andrew Wakefield has steadfastly resisted pressure from government, medicine and the pharmaceutical industry to halt his research into autistic enterocolitis and the possible links between childhood vaccinations, intestinal inflammation and autism. That refusal to stop investigating the potential biological mechanisms for vaccine-induced autistic enterocolitis has made him a target for those determined to make an example out of him. Like individuals who are persecuted for holding different ideological, religious or political beliefs from those in power, Dr. Wakefield is being persecuted for taking a scientific position that does not conform with the majority of those operating or profiting from the global mass vaccination system.

It is sad to watch physicians devour one of their own out of ignorance, envy, greed and fear. The people of the world are witnessing this Great Inquisition. They will not forget the martyrdom of a physician, one of the brightest and best, who discovered a link between vaccination and regressive autism and did what he could to heal affected children and prevent others from suffering their fate.

Many parents of vaccine injured children - regardless of which biological mechanism was involved in their children's vaccine-associated regression into autism - support the pioneering work of Andrew Wakefield and his right to pursue his scientific investigation without being persecuted.

Mark Blaxill, co-founder of SAFEMINDS, said: "I'd like to urge you all to take a moment and to visit the petition site and sign the statement of support for Andy Wakefield. Andy has been a pioneer in autism treatment, leading the way in finding ways to diagnose our children's medical problems and to improve their health and development. Because he had the courage to question the established modalities of current public health programs (suggesting parents split the MMR vaccine and spread out its administration) and the safety of a combination vaccine (the MMR), he has been unfairly attacked, ruthlessly sanctioned, driven from his job and his home and declared a pariah by the scientific and medical establishment of the UK. Looking back on this episode, history will judge this reaction harshly. But in the meantime, things may get worse. Andy has been summoned to appear before the General Medical Council of England. There is a chance he will be struck from the medical register as punishment for his courageous actions.

"I can think of no one who deserves such treatment less than Andy Wakefield. Indeed, Andy deserves praise and accolades for his work. He stands for a model of personal conduct to which other clinician/scientists should aspire. He treats his patients with compassion and their parents with respect. He listened to the families of autistic children when no one else did. He led rigorous scientific investigations into the nature of the gastrointestinal inflammation that so many of us have observed in our children. He made the scientific case for the biomedical approach to autism treatment when the field was only just emerging and needed the scientific rigor he brought to the work. He persevered in the face of obstacles that few other scientists would have endured. And he has done all of these things with unfailing good grace, an open and generous spirit and without rancor or bitterness."

To read and sign the petition supporting Andrew Wakefield, M.D., go to

Open Original Shared Link w.ipetitions.com/petition/GMC/.

No donation is necessary when signing the petition, which originates and is being maintained in Britain.

With O'Donnells in their home. Five of the family's six children are autistic.

The Power of Truth Rally

Washington DC - July 20th, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parents rally in support of doctor facing misconduct charge over MMR-autism link

Wakefield's GMC hearing scheduled for next month

Sunday Mail

June 17, 2007

by Judith Duffy, Health Correspondent

Click here for the URL:

Parents of autistic children are planning a demonstration in support of the doctor at the centre of the MMR controversy, when he is summoned for a disciplinary hearing next month.

The Sunday Herald has learned that Dr Andrew Wakefield - who first suggested a link between the triple jab for mumps, measles and rubella, and autism and bowel disease - is due to appear before the General Medical Council (GMC) on July 16.

His research, published in 1998, led to widespread public fears about the safety of the vaccine and triggered a decline in MMR immunisation levels across the UK. Prime minister Tony Blair was even drawn into the row after consistently refusing to reveal whether his son Leo, now seven, received the jab.

Wakefield, who is now working in America, has faced widespread criticisms over the claims, with subsequent studies failing to confirm the link. In late 2004, the GMC launched an inquiry into allegations of serious professional misconduct against him and two former colleagues.

But parents who believe their children's autism has been triggered by the vaccine are planning to show their support for the doctor outside next month's disciplinary hearing in London.

In addition, an online petition to demand the government and health organisations "stop investigating the doctors and start investigating the patients" has collected more than 4000 signatures.

Campaigner Bill Welsh, president of the Edinburgh-based Autism Treatment Trust, claimed Wakefield was the victim of a "medical establishment witch-hunt".

"Dr Wakefield listened to the parents about their children's disease, clinically investigated the children and reported what he found - where is the crime in that?" he said. "This trial undermines the possibility of any future independent scientific research that might challenge establishment policy."

The petition, started by campaigner Nigel Thomas - who has two brothers diagnosed with autism - states: "I have seen first-hand their decline, seen them screaming in pain and I have seen how all but a handful of doctors repeatedly refused to investigate their problems, brushing off the family's concerns and leaving us helpless, like thousands of other families around the world.

"The only doctors who were prepared to help are now on trial whilst the children are denied basic investigations."

A spokesman for the GMC told the Sunday Herald that there would be a hearing involving Wakefield "in the near future", but insisted he could not confirm the date. He added that the exact charges which were being brought against the doctor would only be revealed at the start of the hearing.

Health officials have consistently maintained that MMR is safe and latest figures show that confidence in the jab is returning. However, vaccination rates across Scotland are still around 3% below the 95% target.

A government spokeswoman said MMR was the safest, most effective way of protecting children.

"The uptake of the MMR vaccination remains at a higher level than in recent times, but we will continue to monitor the level of immunisation," she added.

But many parents still harbour doubts. A Sunday Herald investigation last year revealed that thousands of children in Scotland have received single jabs for measles, mumps and rubella in recent years, with parents paying hundreds of pounds at private clinics because they are not available on the NHS.

Louise Tollin, from East Kilbride, thinks MMR led to her child being diagnosed with autism in 2004. She said four-year-old Christopher showed no signs of problems until he received the vaccine, when he "began to regress before her eyes".

"Christopher was born normal, I am 100% sure about that," she said. "He got the MMR at the beginning of June and by the end of the month he had stopped responding to his name."

She added: "I think the government knows exactly what is going on and it is all being swept under the carpet."

THE NIGEL THOMAS PETITION

AUTISM: STOP THE DECEIT: START THE TREATMENT

My name is Nigel Thomas and I am petitioning on behalf of my two brothers and many thousands of children and young adults worldwide. These youngsters are physically ill, and in almost all cases are being refused treatment; most have also been refused adequate educational provision and those who are now approaching adulthood face a life of uncertainty and continued suffering. Most regressed into autistic-like disorders in early childhood.

Whilst experts argue about whether the catastrophic rise in the rates of Autism Spectrum Disorders is due to better diagnosis, better services or maybe even watching television, children continue to suffer. At the same time a growing body of evidence of environmental contributions to these conditions continues to be systematically and ruthlessly discredited.

The reason these youngsters are ignored is that many of their parents have dared to attribute their condition to environmental exposures such as childhood vaccines. Some of the very few medical professionals offering hope have been summoned to appear before the UK General Medical Council (GMC) in July this year. This is the body which regulates UK medical practice and it has the power to prevent a doctor practising at all. The threat that faces Dr Andrew Wakefield, Professor John Walker Smith and Professor Simon Murch is that they may be struck-off the medical register for daring to investigate why these children are so ill, which no-one else has been prepared to do.

The GMC hearing, currently scheduled for the 9th July this year, will be a highly publicised event which many see as an opportunity for the truth to be aired. Others believe the outcome may already be pre- ordained. Whichever is the case, the parents, brothers, sisters, friends, neighbours and professionals who know these children have decided that enough is enough.

My mother has a letter from Sir Liam Donaldson, the UK Chief Medical Officer, suggesting that the "disorders of bowel habit" suffered by many of these children ".... may reflect the eating habits that some autistic children have" rather than an underlying bowel condition. Despite Sir Liam's view, the underlying bowel condition suffered by many children with autism has frequently been confirmed, on biological testing, to reflect inflammation in bowel tissues containing vaccine strain measles virus. In his letter to my mother Sir Liam points out that he is unable to comment on "details of particular children". I can. As a brother of two children with significant bowel problems and autism, I have seen first hand their decline, seen them screaming in pain, and I have seen how all but a handful of doctors repeatedly refused to investigate their problems, brushing off the family's concerns and leaving us helpless, like thousands of other families around the world. The only doctors who were prepared to help are now on trial whilst the children are denied basic investigations.

This is not just about MMR, not just about mercury in vaccines and in the end, not just about autism. This is about a public health disaster of gigantic proportions that will affect this generation and generations to come, and those responsible must be brought to account. It is about the refusal of mainstream medicine to accept the consequences of their actions. It is about the refusal to treat a condition that is becoming almost commonplace; a condition for which the medical profession is largely responsible; a condition whose existence the medical profession ruthlessly denies in the light of its culpability. From its first day and for its duration the GMC hearing will be a window on this world of deceit. My brothers and I will be outside the building on day one and we will not be standing alone. Be there with us if you can, but at the very least, sign this petition for us to present on the day.

We are not asking for the moon on a stick, but we are demanding that governments and health organisations worldwide stop investigating the doctors and start investigating the patients.

SIGN THE PETITION : STOP THE DECEIT: START THE TREATMENT

Open Original Shared Link ww.ipetitions.com/petition/GMC/

Open Original Shared Link

Former Science chief: 'MMR fears coming true'

Daily Mail

March 22, 2006

by Sue Corrigan

Click here for the URL:

A former Government medical officer responsible for deciding whether medicines are safe has accused the Government of "utterly inexplicable complacency" over the MMR triple vaccine for children.

Dr Peter Fletcher, who was Chief Scientific Officer at the Department of Health, said if it is proven that the jab causes autism, "the refusal by governments to evaluate the risks properly will make this one of the greatest scandals in medical history".

He added that after agreeing to be an expert witness on drug-safety trials for parents' lawyers, he had received and studied thousands of documents relating to the case which he believed the public had a right to see.

He said he has seen a "steady accumulation of evidence" from scientists worldwide that the measles, mumps and rubella jab is causing brain damage in certain children.

But he added: "There are very powerful people in positions of great authority in Britain and elsewhere who have staked their reputations and careers on the safety of MMR and they are willing to do almost anything to protect themselves."

His warning follows reports that the Government is this week planning to announce the addition of a jab against pneumococcal meningitis for babies, probably from next April. It is also considering flu jabs for under- twos - not to protect the children, but adults they may infect.

In the late Seventies, Dr Fletcher served as Chief Scientific Officer at the DoH and Medical Assessor to the Committee on Safety of Medicines, meaning he was responsible for deciding if new vaccines were safe.

He first expressed concerns about MMR in 2001, saying safety trials before the vaccine's introduction in Britain were inadequate.

Now he says the theoretical fears he raised appear to be becoming reality.

He said the rising tide of autism cases and growing scientific understanding of autism-related bowel disease have convinced him the MMR vaccine may be to blame.

"Clinical and scientific data is steadily accumulating that the live measles virus in MMR can cause brain, gut and immune system damage in a subset of vulnerable children," he said. "There's no one conclusive piece of scientific evidence, no 'smoking gun', because there very rarely is when adverse drug reactions are first suspected. When vaccine damage in very young children is involved, it is harder to prove the links.

"But it is the steady accumulation of evidence, from a number of respected universities, teaching hospitals and laboratories around the world, that matters here. There's far too much to ignore. Yet government health authorities are, it seems, more than happy to do so."

'Why isn't the Government taking this massive public health problem more seriously?'

Dr. Fletcher said he found "this official complacency utterly inexplicable" in the light of an explosive worldwide increase in regressive autism and inflammatory bowel disease in children, which was first linked to the live measles virus in the MMR jab by clinical researcher Dr.

Andrew Wakefield in 1998.

"When scientists first raised fears of a possible link between mad cow disease and an apparently new, variant form of CJD they had detected in just 20 or 30 patients, everybody panicked and millions of cows were slaughtered," said Dr. Fletcher.

"Yet there has been a tenfold increase in autism and related forms of brain damage over the past 15 years, roughly coinciding with MMR's introduction, and an extremely worrying increase in childhood inflammatory bowel diseases and immune disorders such as diabetes, and no one in authority will even admit it's happening, let alone try to investigate the causes."

He said there was "no way" the tenfold leap in autistic children could be the result of better recognition and definitional changes, as claimed by health authorities.

"It is highly likely that at least part of this increase is a vaccinerelated problem." he said. "But whatever it is, why isn't the Government taking this massive public health problem more seriously?"

His outspokenness will infuriate health authorities, who have spent millions of pounds shoring up confidence in MMR since Dr. Wakefield's 1998 statement.

But Dr. Fletcher said the Government is undermining public confidence in vaccine safety by refusing to do in-depth clinical research to rule out fears of MMR damage to children.

He added that the risks of brain and gut damage from MMR injections seem to be much higher in children where a brother or sister has diabetes, an immune disorder.

"That is a very strong clinical signal that some children are immunologically at risk from MMR," he said. "Why is the Government not investigating it further - diverting some of the millions of pounds spent on advertising and PR campaigns to promote MMR uptake into detailed clinical research instead?"

Now retired after a distinguished 40-year career in science and medicine in Britain, Europe and the US, Dr. Fletcher said that without such research, health authorities could not possibly rule out fears about MMR.

He said: "It is entirely possible that the immune systems of a small minority simply cannot cope with the challenge of the three live viruses in the MMR jab, and the ever-increasing vaccine load in general."

He said he had decided to speak out because of his deep concern at the lack of treatment for autistic children with bowel disease, as revealed in The Mail on Sunday two weeks ago.

He called the sudden termination of legal aid to parents of allegedly vaccine-damaged children in late 2003 "a monstrous injustice". After agreeing to be a witness for the parents, he received thousands of documents relating to the case.

"Now, it seems, unless the parents force the Government to restore legal aid, much of this revealing evidence may never come out," he said.

The Department of Health said: "MMR remains the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella. It is recognised by the World Health Organisation as having an outstanding safety record and there is a wealth of evidence showing children who receive the MMR vaccine are no more at risk of autism than those who don't."

Mum says MMR jab made son autistic

North Wales Weekly News

June 7, 2007

by Samantha Castle

Click here for the URL:

A Conwy Valley mum is fighting a controversial decision which has stopped funding her case against the makers of an MMR vaccine which she claims caused her son's autism.

Donna, 33, whose son, now 13, wishes to remain anonymous, was denied funding to seek compensation from the manufacturer of the vaccine, Glaxo SmithKline.

Donna, along with other affected families, were originally granted funding to seek compensation, but it was suddenly withdrawn by the Legal Services Commission.

"My son had the MMR jab a week after his first birthday and suffered the normal side effects connected with the vaccine. However, his symptoms persisted and got dangerously worse.

"Within a week he had a purple rash and his whole body had swollen up like the Michelin Man. He wouldn't stop screaming, it was quite clear he wasn't well.

"It did die down but all his normal functions, like eye contact and dialogue he knew before, had gone since the jabs. While in Alder Hey Children's Hospital with his older sister, I noticed a poster on the wall about autism which listed the symptoms, and he had seven of the 10. It was then I made the connection between the MMR jab and autism."

Donna was referred to Rhuddlan Children's Centre and a consultant psychologist confirmed her son was autistic.

"He was diagnosed then and there. I thought I was doing the best for my son, but it took his life away from him and the family," added Donna.

"Some years later I was put in touch with solicitors supporting over 1,500 other parents in a similar situation, and the support group Justice, Awareness and Basic Support (JABS), and that's when we started legal proceedings."

Sir Nigel Davis was the presiding judge who, three years ago, rejected an appeal by MMR vaccine litigants against the decision not to award legal aid for their fight for compensation. But he failed to declare his interests.

Campaigners have now discovered that Mr Justice Davis' brother, Sir Crispin Davis, was appointed a non- executive director of drugs multinational Glaxo SmithKline in 2003, a year before the appeal came to court.

Also, since 1999 Sir Crispin had been chief executive of Reed Elsevier, publisher of The Lancet magazine which originally published research into the links between autism and MMR in 1998. But by 2004 the magazine had changed its mind, and announced its change of heart only the week before Sir Nigel was due to make his decision on the MMR litigants' appeal.

Sir Crispin Davis was knighted by Blair's government in June 2004, four months after the Lancet article was published.

Now, complaints against him are being filed to the Office for Judicial Complaints, which investigates allegations of questionable conduct by judges, coroners and magistrates. The inquiry continues.

*************************************************************

National Vaccine Information Center

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

email: news@nvic.org

voice: 703-938-dpt3

web: Open Original Shared Link

NVIC E-News is a free service of the National Vaccine Information Center and is supported through membership donations.

NVIC is funded through the financial support of its members and does not receive any government subsidies. Barbara Loe Fisher, President and Co- founder.

Learn more about vaccines, diseases and how to protect your informed consent rights at www.nvic.org

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Thank you so much for posting this. I think the reaction of Wakefield's "colleagues" is criminal. He's never even said to avoid vaccines; he just said not to give multiple live vaccines together!

I did go to the NVIC website, and couldn't find any reference to what you posted above. Was I looking in the wrong place, or is it only available in the newsletter?

[AndreaB]

Thank you so much for posting this. I think the reaction of Wakefield's "colleagues" is criminal. He's never even said to avoid vaccines; he just said not to give multiple live vaccines together!

I did go to the NVIC website, and couldn't find any reference to what you posted above. Was I looking in the wrong place, or is it only available in the newsletter?

Yes, I know. I don't know why there is such a big fuss about offering these as three separate shots.

It was in the newsletter. I've never checked to see if the same info was online or not.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Yes, I know. I don't know why there is such a big fuss about offering these as three separate shots.

When I checked with the local Health Dept, it was possible to get the three separate shots--but they each contained mercury.

Can't win....

[sbj]

Wakefield faked the data!

"For more than ten years, debate has raged over a possible link between the MMR vaccine shot and autism in children. The routine injection creates immunities for children against mumps, measles, and rubella or German measles, but some parents have refused to give their children the vaccine after a British study strongly suggested that thimerosol, a preservative component, caused brain damage and autism. Now the Times of London reports that the author of the study, published by the British medical journal Lancet, faked the data in order to support his conclusions."

Open Original Shared Link

[Mtndog]

Andrea- Thank you for posting this. It reminds me of the Lyme doctor witch hunt!

[JNBunnie1]

Wakefield faked the data!

"For more than ten years, debate has raged over a possible link between the MMR vaccine shot and autism in children. The routine injection creates immunities for children against mumps, measles, and rubella or German measles, but some parents have refused to give their children the vaccine after a British study strongly suggested that thimerosol, a preservative component, caused brain damage and autism. Now the Times of London reports that the author of the study, published by the British medical journal Lancet, faked the data in order to support his conclusions."

Open Original Shared Link

Yes, who would ever question the Times of London?

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Wakefield faked the data!

"For more than ten years, debate has raged over a possible link between the MMR vaccine shot and autism in children. The routine injection creates immunities for children against mumps, measles, and rubella or German measles, but some parents have refused to give their children the vaccine after a British study strongly suggested that thimerosol, a preservative component, caused brain damage and autism. Now the Times of London reports that the author of the study, published by the British medical journal Lancet, faked the data in order to support his conclusions."

Open Original Shared Link

He didn't fake the data. In fact, at the time, he pointed out that he was NOT drawing the conclusion that the MMR caused autism, but that there was a link, as he noticed startling results in his practice (that 24/26 of the autistic kids in his practice with IBS had the MMR virus in the lining of their intestines, whereas NONE of the non-autistic kids with IBS did). His suggestion was NOT to avoid vaccines, but to give separate measles, mumps, and rubella shots, a year apart. He also suggested that this warranted further investigation.

The Times of London is joining the medical establishment in a witch hunt in order to continue to insist that the MMR is safe. Of course they are going to report that he faked his data. But that doesn't mean that he did, or that the MMR is safe.

Incidentally, there are TWO doses of MMR recommended for every child--in spite of the fact that 95% develop lifetime immunity from the first, and there have been no studies on the 5% who don't develop immunity to see whether or not the develop any immunity from the second shot. This information comes directly from Merck's website. Gee, who benefits from selling an unnecessary vaccine to EVERY child, even though only 5% might need it?

I don't know about you, but I cannot trust anyone who insists on an unnecessary second dose of a controversial vaccine when it's so easy to do a blood test to check immunity.

[sbj]

He did fake the data:

"Confidential medical documents and interviews with witnesses have established that

Andrew Wakefield manipulated patients

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Here is a link to Wakefield's rebuttal: Open Original Shared Link

"The diagnoses reported in the Lancet were accurate based upon the information provided to the clinicians and review of the available records [1].

Where there was considered to be a pre-existing developmental problem, this was accurately reported in the Lancet paper [2]. This is not the place to get into a detailed discussion on developmental regression which is still a subject of debate by experts in child development and is certainly not something about which Deer has any expertise. It is a matter of fact that I did not play any part whatsoever in making the microscopic diagnoses of inflammation on any biopsy from any child investigated at the Royal Free Hospital. Intestinal tissues were examined, and the children

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Not only have I heard Dr. Wakefield speak (at an autism conference), but I know enough about the pharmaceutical industry and journalism to know what's really going on.

Dr. Wakefield is looking for answers and pointing out links that could provide answers. He NEVER said not to vaccinate; quite the opposite--he made a point of recommending that the vaccines be given, but separately.

Brian Deer sees this as a career-maker for himself, plus I would not be at all surprised if it turns out that he is being paid somehow by the insurance industry, not to mention the government, who helps to fund the insurance industry, and does not want people to think for themselves regarding vaccines and their effects.

My own children did NOT have obvious regression immediately after the MMR. But I know SO many people whose children did, including one family who has video footage of their child before and after. It is obvious to everyone who is affected what is going on; those who are not affected refuse to see or admit it.

[sbj]

"U.S. Special Court: Measles Vaccine Not to Blame for Autism

Thursday, February 12, 2009

A special U.S. court has ruled against parents with autistic children, saying that vaccines are not to blame for their children's neurological disorder. The judges in the cases said the evidence was overwhelmingly contrary to the parent's claims

[Fiddle-Faddle]

sbj, when I first started looking into this, I (like you) believed what I read in the papers and what the medical establishment told me about "years of science."

I'm sorry we are disagreeing on this, because I think you truly care about the situation, and you are doing your best to read and understand things logically and intelligently.

It's just that I have learned far too much to think that I can trust what I read in the papers anymore and what the medical establishment has to say about a lot of things. I really do try to keep an open mind--I'll be the first to say that our emergency medical care, especially for trauma, is absolutely amazing. And I have maintained all along that I am not "anti-vaccine." I am still convinced that the polio vaccine, for example, is especially important.

But face facts here--the"years of science" quoted by many doctors and pharm reps, and by newspapers (who are then quoting the doctors) are, to put it simply, flawed. In most cases, I believe that the flaws are deliberate.

For example, one of the major studies on vaccines and autism took all underweight and developmentally delayed toddlers out of the study--and then said that the results, which of course included very few if any children with developmental problems, showed that vaccines did not cause developmental problems! Hello, those oare the ones who are AT RISK to have problems with the vaccines!

Another study was very carefully set up so that the thimerosal-containing vaccines were not administered according to the dosing that we were seeing here in the US--the vaccines were administered in such a way (either lower doses, or not as many thimerosal-containing vaccines given at once) so that the thimerosal was not detectable at testing, and then they said that that proved that thimerosal didn't cause problems, etc. etc.

You can also look up things like Lipitor (the initial studies excluded the results of those who had severe adverse reactions and were not able to complete the study by calling those patients, "non-compliant," yet called 2 patients who DIED during the study successes, because their cholesterol was lowered at the time of death--and because of those studies, doctors didn't listen to patients who complained of severe side effects, and many died of them), the new Gardasil (taken off the shelves in Spain because of adverse effects), and polio SV40 (from 50 years ago!) to see how the pharm industry has a very long history of burying evidence of harm.

In addition, 2/3 of the medical schools are headed by people with financial ties to the pharm industry. Can't you see what is happening?

We parents of autistic kids aren't looking for someone to blame. We are looking to prevent this from ever happening to another family. We're the ones who have seen first-hand what has happened to our children, and WHEN it happened. But we are not being listened to by most of the doctors. Who has the most to lose here? The pharm industry, of course. We parents have already lost that which matters most dearly to our hearts--the health and well-being of our children.

Note that thimerosal has been banned in all over-the-counter products (such as contact lens solutions) for over 20 years precisely because it caused severe reactions. But it is still in the most-commonly given flu shot--which is now being recommended for all children over 6 months, EVERY YEAR. (Hello--cumulative mercury exposure?) And notice how the AAP has reversed their stance on mercury-containing fish, and say that the benefits outweigh the risks?

And, NOWHERE (except if you dig very, very deep) do you read that only 5% of all children fail to develop lifelong immunity from the first MMR--yet 2 are REQUIRED. Not recommended, required. And they NEVER tell you that you can get a simple blood titre to determine whether your child actually does have immunity. Why? Because the pharm industry doesn't make money from blood tests, they make money from selling vaccines.

[sbj]

That was a very nice and thoughtful reply, and I appreciate it. We, no doubt, will continue to disagree - and that's okay. My overarching goal is to bring facts to bear on the discussion; really, on any discussion. I'm not a fan of anecdotal evidence or small samples or similar. Folks can make up their own minds but only if they are armed with accurate information. Previous to my post, only one side of this discussion was being presented. I don't think it does any harm - and it does a lot of good - to marshall an argument for the other side. (I wish many on this forum - yourself excluded of course - would not be so quick to attack and malign those of us who merely present an alternative viewpoint.) I believe, Fiddle-Faddle, that we both only want to see what's best for those who suffer with autism. While I'm in no way convinced that MMR vaccines have anything at all to do with the issue, I will always keep my eyes and mind open to new facts.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

There are problems with anecdotal evidence, I agree. But there are as many and as serious problems with "scientific" evidence.

That leaves us with both or nothing.

If we throw out anecdotal evidence, then we throw out experiences like that of someone I know (my sister-in-law's sister-in-law!) who has video footage of her child the day before and and the day after the shot. Before=normal, bright, healthy child, laughing and joking with his parents, with normal eye contact. After=profoundly autistic child, unable to speak or maintain any eye contact, flapping and spinning in circles.

They were initially told--by their own pediatrician--that they must be imagining it, that the shot couldn't cause autism, that the child must have been regressing for months before, and that they were looking for something to blame.

He did change his tune when he saw their videotape, but by then, it was too late to report it to VAERS.

My three children's experiences, ALL of whom reacted to various shots, were not reported to VAERS. My own experiences (reactions to 2 flu shots and to gamma globulin) were not reported to VAERS. Most reactions DON'T get reported to VAERS. So where does that leave "scientific evidence" of vaccine harm?

How the heck do they expect us to take "scientific evidence" seriously when those in charge of the "scientific evidence" do everything in their power to discount anything that goes against what they want everyone to believe?

What I describe with the pediatrician above--that he said that the MMR COULDN'T cause autism--is precisely what doctors have said about lipitor--that it COUDN'T cause the severe problems that it DID cause (which ended up killing people).

And it's precisely what they have been saying to US--here on this board, almost all of us--about gluten--that it COULDN'T cause our symptoms.

Perhaps we should run a poll, counting how many of us were diagnosed immediately, by the first doctor who saw us on our first gluten-related complaint (whether or not we knew at the time that it was gluten-related).

And we should count how many of us were told that it COULDN'T be gluten because we were (too fat) (too constipated) (too tall) (too old) (too young) (not Irish) (not sick enough) (didn't look like a celiac) (needed antidepressants).

I think now you just might understand why I feel that, if we count "scientific evidence," we MUST also count anecdotal evidence. By the same type of "scientific evidence," doctors have told us that gluten can't trigger (IBS) (autoimmune thyroid disease) (fibromyalgia) (rheumatoid arthritis) (infertility) (asthma) (migraines) (growth disruption) (obesity) (diabetes) (sleep disturbances) (seasonal allergies) (bipolar disorder) (depression) (_______) (fill in the blank, I'm sure I've left some out).

I don't mean that we should count "my friend's sister's neighbor's son had such-and-such a reaction" as anecdotal evidence. But I sure as heck count my SIL's SIL's child, because I've spent time with them, and I saw child AND the video footage. But even a doctor examining that child before and after the shot and making a report (not that one was made) would be considered by the scientific community to be making up "anecdotal evidence," and it would be totally dismissed. And that's precisely the kind of anecdotal evidence that NEEDS to be counted here.

I'm outraged that doctors, and especially the "vaccine court" could dismiss the whole idea that the MMR can--in some children--cause autism based only on "scientific evidence" when we know just how corrupt those in charge of "scientific evidence" can be.

Now, I think the MMR is just part of the puzzle. I think a genetic propensity towards a leaky gut (gluten intolerance, candida issue, casein issue, or other cause) is another part, and thimerosal yet another part. Perhaps the MMR causes leaky gut, or the leaky gut allows some kind of access to the MMR that it otherwise wouldn't have to the neuro system, or perhaps they somehow work together to inhibit the body's natural excretion of the mercury in thimerosal. And 26-30 vaccines by the age of 18 months, with all those viruses injected rather than passing into the body by mouth or nose, PLUS the preservatives and adjuvants--come on, there is NO long-term research ANYWHERE indicating the safety of this, but there's one heck of a correlation between the number of vaccines children get and the number of children with autism and related developmental disorders.

They can't keep saying that autism is better diagnosed now than before and that explains it, because they're not diagnosing 1/150 ADULTS with it. And surely those "better diagnostic methods" ought to be honing in on the same number of adults as children, yes?

And have you noticed the similar numbers? 1/150 with autism, 1/133 with gluten intolerance?

There are also doctors reporting that ALL of their autistic patients are testing positive for Lyme disease. That's something else worth looking into, but I haven't yet. And Lyme disease is another one that doctors often miss, and skeptics say it doesn't exist. A whole 'nother can'o'worms!

I apologize for the length of this post.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

While I'm in no way convinced that MMR vaccines have anything at all to do with the issue, I will always keep my eyes and mind open to new facts.

Thanks!

[sbj]

There are problems with anecdotal evidence, I agree. . . . If we throw out anecdotal evidence, . . . And have you noticed the similar numbers? 1/150 with autism, 1/133 with gluten intolerance?

I am the first to acknowledge that anecdotal evidence IS evidence. I certainly do not discount it totally. I also trust in the scientific method - that's probably more to my point. But Fiddle - you've thrown a coincidence up there regarding the ratios. I'm sure you're smart enough to recognize that as a coincidence (and really - not even a very convincing one) and nothing more, but there are plenty of people on this forum who look at a 'coincidence' like that and cite it as some sort of proof: "See! See! Proof! Gluten must have something to do with it."

[Fiddle-Faddle]

By itself--yes, it looks like coincidence. But factor in facts:

The high numbers of autistic kids who have "IBS"

The high numbers of autistic kids who do well on a gluten-free/cf diet

The high numbers of already-diagnosed celiacs who have an autistic relative--or conversely, the high numbers of autistics who have a celiac relative.

Consider that 80% of your immune system is in your intestines, and autistic kids usually have intestinal problems. Breastfed infants have a lower incidence of developing autism than formula-fed infants; the same is supposedly true of celiac, though I can't find a source for that right now. If that's not true, please correct me. (Sorry, my own immune system is not feeling so hot tonight, I'm actually fighting some kind of virus right now.)

How can there NOT be a connection--at least for a sizable percentage of autistic kids--with gluten?

There's definitely a casein connection for many autistic kids, too, but I don't know the wherefores and whys. I do remember, when I was in the speech/OT therapy waiting room where all the other moms were waiting for their autistic kids to finish therapy, we would talk. and the number of moms in that room who said that their kids had intestinal issues from birth was astounding to me--and they ALL formula-fed except me. (Coincidence, I'll admit, since there are certainly moms of autistic kids besides for me who breastfed.) But what was really staggering to me was that NONE of them ever considered that the formula was causing their child's "IBS," and neither did their doctors.

By contrast, I nursed my oldest (the one with the diagnosis) for 2 1/2 years, and when we first tried regular milk (at age 1), he immediately had severe diarrhea and his first ear infection. I thought it was a no-brainer (as in, gee, I guess he doesn't do well with milk, guess we'll do soy milk instead). He DID have formula for his first 5 days, as I didn't make any milk until then (long story).

Anyway, he can drink milk now without any intestinal issues. And of all the kids we met in that waiting room, he's had by far the best outcome (he officially lost the diagnosis at school last year).

Oh--and ALL of those kids had ALL their vaccines. NONE of them were unvaccinated.

How can there NOT be a connection with autism and thimerosal, when the symptoms of mercury poisoning are nearly identical with the symptoms of autism, and thimerosal has been injected into the veins of children since the 1930's--which is when the first group of children diagnosed with autism were born? And the rates of autism have increased exponentially--as have the rates of thimerosal-containing vaccines, not to mention the sheer number of vaccines.

Here's another fun one for you to look up: acrodynia

Sorry,not feeling well, gotta go lie down!

[ravenwoodglass]

By itself--yes, it looks like coincidence. But factor in facts:

The high numbers of autistic kids who have "IBS"

The high numbers of autistic kids who do well on a gluten-free/cf diet

The high numbers of already-diagnosed celiacs who have an autistic relative--or conversely, the high numbers of autistics who have a celiac relative.

What a fasinating conversation.

I have wondered if the genetic predispositons for gluten intolerance and autism are somehow triggered by the bodies response to the vaccines in some children? We know that gluten intolerance usually has a trigger. What if the stress of the multiple vaccines on these childrens systems is enough to trigger both. Please understand I am not saying that I think all autistic children are celiac but it does seem that a number of them do respond to the diet. That has been pretty stongly established. We do know that gluten is a neurotoxin for many of us and perhaps the brains reaction when both are present causes a more severe presentation of the autistism. Which might account for the improvement in these kids. We know that being gluten free doesn't 'cure' them of the autism but for many it can make them much more connected.

We seem to be going way overboard with the vaccines in this country. It makes me scared for what the future holds for my grandchildren when they come. I do believe vaccines are a good thing but we give too many too quickly.

[sbj]

One of the problems they are having in England right now is a resurgence of measles because so many people have been scared by Wakefield and the like that they aren't vaccinating their children. These illnesses can be deadly and it is very disconcerting to see children suffer needlessly because their parents are operating under misinformation. I love Fiddle-Faddle but a coincidence is just that - a coincidence. There is no cause and effect shown by what she discusses here, just anecdotal stories about this and that happening strung along to look convincing to those who aren't wondering about the scientific basis for any of the 'conclusions.' I'll not be the poster boy for the medical industry and for vaccinations - that's not why I'm here. The whole point of my post was to bring to anyone's attention the findings of a special court that was created to look at the MMR vaccine and hear the pleas of 5000 parents of autistic children. They found that the parents could not prove that the MMR vaccinations caused the autism.

[purple]

Here are a few links to check out:

Open Original Shared Link

scroll to vaccines or autism for more link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

IMHO and lots of research...the media only tells you what "they" want you to know, whether it be the truth or lies, mostly lies to look like the truth. Most if not all major media is owned by the same elite as well as the medical "groups". Don't believe what you read in the papers or hear on the T.V.

Do lots of research and you will see how the pieces fit together. PM for more info if you like.

[rinne]

......There are also doctors reporting that ALL of their autistic patients are testing positive for Lyme disease. That's something else worth looking into, but I haven't yet. And Lyme disease is another one that doctors often miss, and skeptics say it doesn't exist. A whole 'nother can'o'worms!

I apologize for the length of this post.

Don't apologize Fiddle Faddle, I that post.

As for anecdotal evidence, what a convenient term for those who determine the dialogue to dismiss the concerns of parents who are dealing not with "anecdotal evidence" but with a child that has been damaged. The reality is you only have to see it happen to one child to know the truth of it.

I think Lyme is an epidemic.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

One of the problems they are having in England right now is a resurgence of measles because so many people have been scared by Wakefield and the like that they aren't vaccinating their children. These illnesses can be deadly and it is very disconcerting to see children suffer needlessly because their parents are operating under misinformation.

sbj, this is not correct!!!!!

Wakefield has said ALL ALONG that parents should NOT stop vaccinating, but should give separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines. He NEVER said to stop vaccinating for measles. His concern was that the measles and mumps vaccines not be given together or even close together.

Yes, measles can be deadly--but that IS rare, and was rare before the measles vaccine came out. What is most common with measles virus is to develop immunity by exposure, but not necessarily to be terribly ill. I never had a measles vaccine, nor measles that I or my mom ever knew of--but a titre showed that I have antibodies.

Vaccines can be deadly, too--and that is less rare. How many more kids have had bad reactions to vaccines than have had deadly or even severe cases of measles, including before the measles vaccine was developed?

And you can't say "coincidence, anecdotal stories strung along to look like cause and effect," because the reporting system (VAERS) is so terribly flawed that most cause and effect cases simply didn't get reported.

Lack of reporting evidence does not prove that the evidence isn't there, or that it never happened.

It happened, and continues to happen. And it will keep happening until we stop it.

If you're going to keep saying, "coincidence," who is to say that a "deadly" case of measles isn't a coincidence? Perhaps those kids with "deadly" cases of measles are kids with some OTHER kind of problem, and measles was the straw that broke the camel's back. Just like vaccines are the straw that breaks the camel's back with autistic kids--but the pharm industry keeps adding more and more vaccines to the schedule, so the camel's back is facing a bigger and bigger load, so more and more children are severely affected.

And that's not coincidence.

[sbj]

sbj, this is not correct!!!!! Wakefield has said ALL ALONG that parents should NOT stop vaccinating, but should give separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines.

Read what I wrote. I never wrote that Wakefield said to stop vaccinating. Please don't tell me that I'm incorrect or put words into my mouth. I wrote that Wakefield's flawed and faked "research" had scared the uninformed into not vaccinating their children. This is undoubtedly true. This distrust of the MMR vaccine has caused a new, entirely preventable measles epidemic to spring up in England.

Wakefield has spoken out about the MMR vaccine and this court that I initially wrote about found that the parents could not prove that the MMR vaccine caused autism.

[rinne]

Read what I wrote. I never wrote that Wakefield said to stop vaccinating. Please don't tell me that I'm incorrect or put words into my mouth. I wrote that Wakefield's flawed and faked "research" had scared the uninformed into not vaccinating their children......

Is it? Or is it the media witch trial they are putting him through? Could it be pharmaceutical companies wanting to shut up anyone who raises any concerns?

Off topic slightly, ten years ago a doctor in Nova Scotia raised concerns about a drug being used for type 2 diabetics, she was seeing heart problems. She knew other doctors who were also seeing this problem. She was threatened with a law suit. She shut up. People died and now we know, ten years later, that it is directly connected to their deaths.

A link to a new book on the FDA and big pharma:

Open Original Shared Link