MMPR Vaccine and Autism: Vaccine Nihilism  and Post Modern Science

Gregory A. Poland, MD

“This predictable sequence of falling [measles and mumps vaccine (MMPR)] coverage levels, followed by outbreaks of disease, has occurred because of decreased public confidence in the safety of the MMR vaccine. In large part, this has resulted from incorrect as- sertions that the vaccine plays a role in the development of autism, an idea promoted by Andrew Wakefield.^’^ No cred- ible scientific evidence, however, supports the claim that the MMR vaccine causes autism, and indeed, national medical authorities and scientific professional societies have unani- mously denounced that claim.”‘ More than 20 studies have found no evidence of connection between receipt of the MMR vaccine and autism disorders.*’^ In fact, Britain’s General Medical Council determined after its hearings that Wakefield was guilty of dishonesty and serious profession- al misconduct with regard to his MMR-autism research.*” -Gregory A. Poland, MD

This claim identifies that there is no direct link between the MMPR vaccine and autism. Poland had previously stated that “Measles is the most transmissible human disease known,” and that to prevent outbreaks there needs to be approx. a 96% coverage. However, because a large amount of the world’s population believes the faulty study conducted by Andrew Wakefield, there has been a decrease in vaccination and a rise in the amount of Measles and Mumps outbreaks globally. The increasing amount of outbreaks followed the inconclusive study and have continued to grow, even after Wakefield’s study gad been disproven.

“..there is no causal connection between childhood vaccines and autism.”

This claim makes my previously posted argument appear weak. In the CNN article i had found, it stated that although there is no direct medical connection between the MMPR vaccine and other vaccines, there is still some belief that the vaccinations can cause or irritate already existing autism. However, my current source, denies this claim. Personally, i find Poland’s article to be a more reliable source based on his medical degree and the fact that his article was posted in a medical journal.

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=11&sid=f444f812-f4da-4425-b359-14f776fba774%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=65538141

My other claim, stated certain foods such as wheat and dairy products could irritate already existing autism and that autistic children should take vitamins and other food supplements in hopes to avoid an increased case of autism. The claim is highly supported.According to the Harvard Health Letter’s article, “Getting out the gluten,” gluten, the by product of wheat, barley and rye, is increasingly becoming the number one factor in cilliac disease and various autoimmune diseases. Others, such as myself, are just unable to digest gluten properly and are getting largely irritated stomachs, gastrointestinals and are finding it hard to have sufficient bowel movements. In cases concerning autism, there is a “…’buzz’ about autistic children improving once they’re on a gluten- free diet.” There is however, no current conclusive evidence. But, the article states that autistic children who have an actively gluten free diet have shown lower risks of other severe illnesses that often come with autism. For example, irritated bowels and acid-reflex are common illnesses acquired by people with autism; most who are gluten free do not carry these traits.

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f444f812-f4da-4425-b359-14f776fba774%40sessionmgr11&vid=7&hid=11