Do Vaccines Cause Autism?

By Cian Murphy

Background:
Ever since the report by Andrew Wakefield stating the MMR vaccine makes
kids develop autism, people have been hesitant to let their children receive
any type of vaccines. This has increased the number of un-vaccinated
children thereby increasing the number of at risk children to diseases. Many
medical doctors have conducted researches to disprove his theory, which
were successful. They also conducted researchers to see if they could
reproduce his finding all were inconclusive. This trend has the potential to be
very dangerous for if there is a bad case of flu
outbreak many children could get sick
and/or die. Because of the increasing
participants of this trend, of not vaccinating
children, I will conduct a report of all the findings
relating to this topic.

Plan:
I plan to find out if there is enough evidence to support Wakefields report. I
will do this conduct my own research of finding articles, papers and studies
that are related to this topic.

Method:
1) Research the current debate on why people think vaccines cause autism in
adolescents. 2) I will be compiling articles and scientific studies by federally
and privately funded researchers, about the link between vaccines and
autism. 2) Analyzing each ones methodology and findings. 3) Summarize
the key points and results.

Results:
Through my research of a variety of sources, I found that no study or
organization could reproduce Wakefields results. Autism Science Foundation
found that the number of vaccines children were receiving was increasing,
and at the same time, the number of children who were being diagnosed
with autism also was on the rise. After reviewing tens of studies the results of
studies are very clear; the data shows no relationship between vaccines and
autism. The CDC research noted that a specific ingredient thimerosal, a
mercury based preservative was mentioned to be the specific cause of
autism. The CDC also investigated this ingredient and determined it not to be
a cause of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). In the oxford journals article
they specifically underlines Wakefields research and what he published.
They disprove everything he published and verify that vaccines do not cause
Autism. In Dr. Ari Browns article he talks about a mother who wrote a book,
about how the MMR vaccine gave her child autism. Ari is humble about his
knowledge of vaccines and states that like the rest of the world, he doesnt
know the cause of autism. What he does believe strongly in is the power of

vaccines, and how much they have changed his practice as a doctor. After
stating the importance of vaccines he begins to unravel all the
inconsistencies and inaccuracies of here entire book. At the end of the article
he sympathizes with the mother because we all want healthy children; but
he still says one thing is certain I've vaccinated my own kids and would do it
again in a heartbeat.
Discussion:
There was an overwhelming
agreement that Wakefields
research was full of
inaccuracies and falsified data.
From the results you can see
that the all the top and most
reputable organization are
mentioned. Each organization have different missions, councils, and methods
and yet all of them found Wakefields conclusion false. The CDC went a step
further by noting specifics in Wakefields paper including the mentioned
ingredient of the MMR vaccine, Wakefield claimed to be the cause of autism,
and proved it wrong. Countless studies continued to disprove of Wakefields
methods and conclusions and because of this there is no reason people
shouldnt get vaccinated. Vaccines are a scientific miracle that have helped
our species overcome extinction by the hands of diseases. They are never
distributed until proven safe by multiple boards. Finally and most important,

they help save lives, so more people can discover revolutionary ideas such
as vaccines.
Conclusion:
All of these studies have come to the same conclusion, which is vaccines are
safe, effective and do not cause autism in adolescents. All researchers who
have studied the subject have

disproven any kinds of

Wakefields research and shown

more

evidence to the contrary.

Works Cited

http://www.autismsciencefoundation.org/autismandvaccines.html
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/autism.html
http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/48/4/456.full
http://junksciencearchive.com/oct07/Vaccines_and_Autism-WSJ.com.pdf