Andrew Wakefield Struck off

[ShadeofViolet]

here

So Wakefield said something dumb in a press conference that no-one else really stood behind but it's the Editor of the Lancet's fault that he said it? Righty-ho.

I find it odd that everyone thinks Horton blameless in this aspect of the case.

He KNEW what Wakefield's answer would be.

Anyone else there (inc the co-auth0ors of the study) could have answered the question.

It was indeed a throw-away question, designed for a sound bite headline that the journos could use.

Why on Earth direct the question (which is what he did, he specifically directed it to Wakefield to answer; Wakefield didn't just jump in) to the one person who had already stated that, if asked, he would recommend singles while further research was carried out.

Horton is as responsible for the media storm as Wakefield on that count. Wihtout that answer (one Wakefield wasn't pushing to give) the whole spectacle would have been avoided.

ANd maybe the research would ahve been carried out that proves/disproves the hypothesis.

As it stands, that research wil never be carried out over here.

AW was the one who conducted the research. Who else could have answered it? Scraping the barrel to try and blame the Lancet editor.

Silverfrog, AW made the decision to give that answer. It's his responsibility. Horton could not have answered it. He had no remit to do so. AW could have handed the question over to a co-author if he was uncomfortable answering it.

Andrew Wakefield was the corresponding author on the paper, therefore the person to whom questions/correspondence should be addressed. Why is this Richard Horton's responsibility?

Just to check, is this subset, those of children with regressive MMR who also have symptoms of gut disorders/enteropathologies? Which is 7% of what, all ASD?

I wonder what would happen if overnight the whole vaccination schedule was pulled - that no-one would be able to receive vaccines on the NHS and that it would be deemed illegal to supply them elsewhere. Plus the only medicines allowed would be homeopathic ones - not even dietry supplements as some of these cause adverse effects and are not without risks (iron tablets, vitamin A etc).

I wonder......

Linden - what, imagine a world without medicine? Well, people would die, obviously.

Homeopathic medicine is basically a placebo, which can have fascinating effects, but probably wouldn't do much long-term.

It's a disgrace, a complete and utter witch hunt.
I have no doubt in my mind that history will validate him.

SWC - my two dcs are at risk of an auto-immune disease due to family history - interestingly possibly due to family members having childhood measles.
However due to extensive research from trusted family members the MMR was the least riskier approach due to the increase of catching wild measles at the time (considered more likely to trigger the auto-immune disease either with acute infection or at a later date) and due to the fact that uptake is still below the required % in my area.

Ideally I would like no measles to be present as then my children would never be exposed to measles/ would have no need of a measles vaccine. It's thanks to the vaccine program that smallpox has been eradicated and we no longer need to vaccinate. Would it not be great for all our grandchildren if this was not the case for measles?

Hello, just joined this thread and skimmed the previous pages.

If you don't think MMR causes autism, have a look at this website: www.cryshame.com

I believe there are people who are for some reason vulnerable and MMR is a trigger. But until there is a test to see if my DS is vulnerable I will not be giving him MMR, only a single Measles jab.

Regarding Wakefield, of course he was going to get struck off! Of course all the subsequent research would show no link! The GMC and the government who are all in bed with the pharmceuticals all have their reputation at stake let alone potential compensation claims.

I've worked with some of these people and believe me they will do ANYTHING to stop whistleblowers, they will lie, cover-up, lose information and discredit to save their asses. It's all pretty scary in reality.

I have to travel and pay for single vaccinations for my DS. The reason this private GP says it's not commonplace is that GPs are scared to offer single jabs as this goes against the mighty GMC recommendations and they are paranoid about being struck off.

Whilst the subsequent hysteria about MMR was tragic, we should stand up for people who challenge the corrupt, self interested and bloated system rather than stick our heads in the sand and do what we're told.

"I am not willing to sacrifice her on the altar of the wider public interest I'm afraid and I'm sure you wouldn't be either. So enough with the pious lectures, hey?"

Linden has said that her children are at risk from an auto-immune disease. She did the research. She gave them the MMR. And they're fine.

No one is asking anyone to 'sacrifice their children' FFS - look at the facts. Any purported 'risks' from MMR are far far FAR less than the risks from wild measles. Do you still let your child go outside on the street where there are cars that might kill her? That's a bit of a risk - a MUCH bigger risk than immunising, but I'm assuming you think that's OK?

BTW, all you anti-vax people, this woman is one of your supporters

Hope you're proud

The difference is that I can teach my kids about traffic and try to avoid an accident. With MMR, you knowingly inject your child with something that may have a risk. Why on earth would I take that risk, however small?

Interesting on the Jenny McCarthy site, of course the scientific link states zero. Because if you get your figures from 'official sources' who want to cover up any hint of a link they will tell you - there's no scientific link.

Just because there's no scientific link, doesn't mean there isn't one. A scientific study only finds what its looking for and of course that depends on who's funding the research...

Leonie if you could step down from your ranting to actually read what I write you would see that I have ALWAYS said that OF COURSE there are SOME people who should not be vaccinated for clear medical reasons. I have no idea if your DCs fit into that category or not but AT MOST those people comprise 5% of the population.

The uptake of MMR in my area is 80% so therefore the other 15% have (I repeat) NO MEDICAL REASON not to vaccinate their kids. It's these people who are being irresponsible and they have been scared into being so by Wakefield and the media.

That is not a sweeping generalisation, it is fact.

I could similarly say: Leonie, you are basing your opinions purely on your instincts. In your opinion Wakefield seems like a 'nice man' and 'makes jokes' and 'has a sense of humour' whereas you do not like Brian Deer because he 'speaks to people rudely' and in your opinion 'isn't qualified'. No science in thos opinions though so I practice my right to think you're talking out of your arse too.