Home News North East News

Research into MMR and autism wanted by US official

May 18 2008 by Phil Doherty, Sunday Sun

MMR maverick in new autism scare

CONTROVERSIAL doctor Andrew Wakefield has been involved in research that may renew fears over a link between autism and the child MMR jab.

He was involved in research by a group of US universities in which monkeys were treated with the vaccines given to American children between 1994 and 1999, which contained mercury.

The vaccinated macaques exhibited brain changes, autism-like symptoms and gene changes.

In 1998, Dr Wakefield sparked panic over anMMR jab-autism link when his research, published in The Lancet journal, reported bowel problems in vaccinated children diagnosed with autism and alleged a possible connection with the MMR vaccination.

He was later accused of a conflict of interest in the trials, and The Lancet said it regretted publishing the research.

The new research is awaiting peer review.

The Department of Health said: “Dr Andrew Wakefield has an established track record of being wrong on vaccines, autism and Bell’s disease.

“Studies based on his previous theories are clearly going to lack credibility.”

Keep up to date with the news. Sign up for News Alerts

Have your say on the latest news and sport in our Forums

Site Tools