Researchers at the department of epidemiology research at Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen found that the measles MMR vaccination does not increase the risk for autism. This comes at a critical time as measles outbreaks are occurring in parts of the US.
The new research confirms what has long been widely accepted in the scientific community, and it echoes findings of a 2002 study by members of the same team of scientists about the vaccine, known as MMR because it protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
I am neither an anti-vaxxer nor a pro-vaxxer, I just want kids and the population in general safe. Upon reading about this new research, I did some research on my own. The SSI, which produced this study, is a manufacturer and purveyor of vaccines – so we should, at the very least, be suspicious of their research. They may have an interest in showing that there is no connection between vaccines and autism. Remember the Tobacco Industry’s research in the 40s and 50s showing that smoking was not bad for you??? https://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/news/print/hemonc-today/%7B241d62a7-fe6e-4c5b-9fed-a33cc6e4bd7c%7D/cigarettes-were-once-physician-tested-approved
Kearn is exactly right. This news release was published at NPR, and other news outlets. It seems reporters these days just take information given and then do no further investigation. Actually, they’d probably be fired it they did, because just about every news outlets take advertising dollars from the pharmaceutical industry. A reader can infer from this article that finally, finally, finally, we know the truth: the MMR vaccine can never, ever cause autism. However, before you jump to this bottom line consider two points.
1. Brian Hooker, PhD, a science professor at a university in California, in his rebuttal at https://www.focusforhealth.org/scientists-rebuttal-to-danish-cohort-study/#author-info, points out that this study was funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Novo Nordisk is a Danish pharmaceutical company. In addition, as pointed out by Kearn Schemm above, three of the study authors are employed by the Statens Serum Institut, a vaccine manufacturer in Denmark. However, most of the rebuttal addresses the flawed methodology used by the authors. For your information Dr. Hooker has an autistic son. If you’re interested, you can read the original study here as it was not referenced: https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2727726/measles-mumps-rubella-vaccination-autism-nationwide-cohort-study.
2. Increasingly, scientific journal editors are speaking out about the quality of studies they see. In an article in the New York Times on September 14, 2018 entitled “Transparency Hasn’t Stopped Drug Companies from Corrupting Medical Research,” (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/14/opinion/jose-baselga-research-disclosure-bias.html)
Dr. Marcia Angell points out that even current rules about identifying conflicts of interest in scientific studies do not stop dishonesty. Readers should pay attention to her article and take scientific studies with a grain of salt, particularly as Dr Angell was the editor of the New England Journal of Medicine for twenty years. She also wrote “The Truth about Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It.”
It seems that most people think that vaccines are conceived of, made, delivered and publicized by angels. Like most things in life there are benefits and risks associated with them and money to be made. One sided news releases like the one above are pervasive today. We all need to hone our critical thinking skills and consider why simplistic articles like this one are published and who they benefit.
So, since EVERY scientician(sic) who spouts off about Global warming is funded by the(liberals in) government who WANT to impede our economy by constricting it, we can ignore them too?
Or do we only accept science we agree with?
I guess we just need to get ready for things like this……….
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-care-news/articles/2018-10-09/cases-of-rare-polio-like-condition-increasing-across-us-in-2018
Ssssssssssssssss’up, Mike, what it is?
Say, do you remember some years ago in Cape Charles there was this pedant dude and he wrote a column called Pedant’s Corner and was quick to point out blowbags and jackasses.
The dude was truly one of a kind but sadly died alone by freezing to death in his own home.
Wouldn’t it be something if he were here now to stifle some of our well-meaning but long-winded contributors.
Just saying.
That would make for some interesting exchanges in here, alright, if that dude were still around.
RIP Pedant.