The Lancet retracts study linking autism and vaccines

The big story in the headlines today?  The Lancet -- one of the world's leading medical journals -- has retracted a controversial 1998 study linking autism to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.  According to CNN, the British journal said the study "wasn't done in a randomized way."





In 2004, 10 of the 12 authors asked for their names to be removed from the study.  The U.K. General Medical Council's Fitness to Practice Panel found that Dr. Andrew Wakefield -- the study's primary author -- falsified information and acted with "callous disregard."  Wakefield is currently under investigation by the council for serious professional misconduct and could possibly loose his medical license.

Wakefield issued a statement through Thoughtful House Center for Children, where he is the executive director and leads its research program...

“The allegations against me and against my colleagues are both unfounded and unjust, and I invite anyone to examine the contents of these proceedings and come to their own conclusion,”
Dr. Andrew Wakefield

Of course, various doctors and medical panels have come out in recent years against this study prior to The Lancet's retraction.  It's created a serious debate between parents, who believe "regressive autism" is caused by vaccines -- such as Jenny McCarthy -- and the medical community. 


Additional reading:

• Los Angeles Times, "Report linking autism to vaccines is retracted by medical journal"
• WebMD Health, "Study linking autism to vaccine retracted"
• WebMD Health, "Autism-Vaccine link: Evidence doesn't dispel doubt"
• BBC News, "Lancet accepts MMR study 'false'"
• Business Week, "Lancet retracts study tying childhood vaccine to autism (update 2)"