An influential study that suggested autism is caused by childhood vaccines is being called an "elaborate fraud." And now much of the world's medical community is coming down hard on the british doctor who did the study.
CBS's Manuel Gallegus explains how the study worked in this KHQA Safe Family Health Report.
It was a groundbreaking report linking autism to the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine. Now the British Medical Journal is accusing the report's author, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, of falsifying data and serious professional misconduct.
"It is very worrying, I think it is very shocking, I think that what is difficult with fraud is that we have very few ways of detecting it. We base our decisions on trust." said one doctor.
The study based on 12 children found that the MMR vaccine, a public health mainstay around the world, led to autistic behavior and gastrointestinal disorders. But the new investigation by the BMJ shows that children's behavior, parents' interviews and medical records didn't match what Wakefield reported in the study.
Story continued below...
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Faced with the accusations, Wakefield still adamantly defends his study.
On CNN's AC360 he called the attack on his research a "Ruthless, pragmatic attempt to crush any investigation into valid vaccine safety concerns."
The study received worldwide media attention and fallout from it is still being felt.
The ramifications are that we don't have enough children immunized, that means there is an increased risk of illnesses.
The Medical Journal "The Lancet" which originally published the study has since retracted it. Click here to see Wakefield's response to the retraction. Ten of the study's authors have backed away from the research, and last May Wakefield's medical license was revoked. But Wakefield refuses to give in to the growing resentment toward his work, and insists that children still face risks when they are vaccinated.
Join in the conversation on our Facebook page here.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKHQA