Introduction
This paper seeks to understand the MMR vaccine, the nature of autism, the character and research of Andrew Wakefield. Through understanding his initial publication in The Lancet titled "Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children", as well as it’s repercussions and eventual retraction, a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship (or lack there-of) between the MMR vaccine and autism shall be explored.
In order to explore this thesis, it is important to first understand what exactly the MMR vaccine is, as well as the nature of autism. According to the United States National Library of Medicine’s Institute of Health, “The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine
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Nearly two decades ago, Andrew Wakefield, British former surgeon and medical researcher, published a paper in The Lancet titled "Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children" (Wakefield, 1998). This paper asserted that there was indeed a link between the MMR vaccination and the appearance of autism and bowel disease (Wakefield, 1998). More specifically, Wakefield claimed that the MMR vaccine causes a series of events that “include intestinal inflammation, loss of intestinal barrier function, entrance into the bloodstream of encephalopathic proteins, and consequent development of autism” (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2014). In support of his hypothesis, Wakefield studied 12 children described as having neurodevelopmental delay, diagnosing 8 with autism. His findings were perceived as substantial in that all of these children had gastrointestinal complaints and allegedly developed autism within a month of receiving the MMR vaccination (Wakefield, …show more content…
For specific example, while 90% of children in England were receiving the MMR vaccination when the paper was produced, it is of no surprise that children with autism would have received an MMR vaccination. Therefore, it is a logical expectation that some children with autism recently received the MMR vaccination; this does not transfer to the claim that the MMR vaccination causes autism, however (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2014). Further flaws of the paper shall be explored in the analysis, but it is of note that The Lancet claimed in 2010 that:
“it has become clear that several elements of the 1998 paper by Wakefield et al are incorrect, contrary to the findings of an earlier investigation. In particular, the claims in the original paper that children were “consecutively referred” and that investigations were “approved” by the local ethics committee have been proven to be false. Therefore we fully retract this paper from the published record” (The Lancet,
The Daniel Pelka serious case review is one of many that are conducted around the United Kingdom every year. A serious case review is a local enquiry into the death or serious injury of a child, where abuse or neglect are known or suspected. These are conducted by the Local Safeguarding Children Boards; with the main focus being on what lessons can be learnt locally to prevent this from happening again (Brandon, Bailey, Belderson, 2010). In this textual analysis we will be looking back at previous case reviews including Jasmine Beckford and Baby P. We will then look at what recommendations have been made and use the Peka case to see weather we have learned from our previous mistakes or are we still in the same position now as we where then.
Throughout this essay, the health, safety and welfare policy and practise that came about after the Victoria Climbie case will be reviewed and evaluated. After arriving in England in November 1991 from the Ivory Coast, eight-year old Victoria Climbie suffered abuse from her great-aunt, Marie-Therese Kouao, and her great-aunts partner. The anguish and eventual murder of Victoria in 2000 from hypothermia, caused by malnourishment and damp conditions, provoked ‘the most extensive investigation into the child protection system in British history’ as described by Batty (Macleod-Brudenell, 2004). The high media profiled incident exposed a clear lack of precision and communication between all professionals and agencies involved. This is shown by the fact that the mistreatment Victoria was suffering had gone unnoticed by the social services, police and NHS staff, who failed to make each other aware of the clear danger signs. Within the Lord Laming Inquiry into Victoria Climbie’s death (2003), it can be seen that some features recur time after time in child abuse cases; inadequate resources to meet demands, inexperience and lack of skill of individual social workers. In addition, it can also be seen that crucial procedures were evidently not being followed. The procedure that was established after this case included the recommendations made by Lord Laming such as the Green Paper of Every Child Matters (DfES, 2003) and the Children Act (DfES, 2004). These ensure that all children have the fundamental right to be protected from harm and abuse. In addition to this, it also certifies all adults who come into contact with children and families have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
The review assumes that it is trying to make people aware of the health condition of children in England, how children and young people are being starved by their parent. It also makes us believe that multi-agency working are not doing a good job in keeping children safe from harm and that health services need to be more aware and take their responsibility seriously. As if they were more aware then these incident would not have
In existence is $150,000, specifically set aside for the purchase of distressed real estate. This essay will outline a detailed strategy ensuring a maximum return in regard to the financial investment made on the home. Including a description of distressed real estate and foreclosure in addition to how utility can play a role in the decision-making process.
William Bradford was born in 1590. He was a very smart child, and taught himself how to several languages. He also studied the bible quite frequently. When he turned 18, he was in a separatist group and they broke away from the church. They went to Holland so they wouldn't be killed. He then was one of the members on the Mayflower heading to America. He made it there in December 1620.
He claimed that the policy’s intention was genuine, regarding child welfare, apprenticeship and protection over the girls due to early sexual activity, yet, there are strong evidences to dispute his contentions. Although Windschuttle has brought new perspective to this significant event occurred in the past and demonstrated his thorough research on the subject, what Windschuttle missed is empathy for individuals who were the victims of the
This is no excuse for the excusing this major ethical violation. Many of these children had no say in whether or no they were in the program. They simply did not possess the brain capacity. Also, parents were pressured into enrolling their children into this program through a type of blackmail. The officials of the School stated that some children would not be admitted if they were not enrolled in the hepatitis studies. I believe they were able to get away with this because the school was so overpopulated they could cover up the real reason for not admitting children. This cynical behavior is another ethical violation. It is ethically wrong for the Willowbrook officials to corner the parents with a decision of trying to get their child the help he needs or letting him be a guinea pig in a twisted research
In 1999 a study was done in the United Kingdom to see if there was a link between the two. In this study, researchers compared children had had and had not gotten the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination. The study identified four hundred and ninety-eight cases of autism including core autism, atypical autism and Asperger syndrome in children born in the United Kingdom since 1979. There was an increase in cases by year of birth with no change after the introduction of the vaccination. There was also no age difference at diagnosis between the cases vaccinated before or after eighteen months of age and children that were never vaccinated. These results showed no temporal association between the onset of autism within one or two years after being vaccinated with MMR and developmental regression was not clustered in the months after vaccination. The data from these results does not support the connection between MMR and autism and if an association was to occur it was so rare it could not be identified. Many studies have been done over this topic but the results prove that it in fact does not cause autism. It is likely that this myth is strongly accepted because the symptoms of autism begin to occur around the same time as the child is to be vaccinated with the MMR
The update of 2006 report included statements from Lord Laming’s report. The protection of Children in England: A Progress Report on March 2009. It was revised to follow progress in legislation, scheme and tradition related to the safety of children. Harbouring children from misfortune and raise their well-being under this act bank on a mutual trust and useful functioning ties between different organisations.
C. Cobley & N. Lowe, ‘The stautory “threshold” under section 31 of the Children Act 1989 – time to take stock’ (2011) Law Quarterly Review 396
Parker, Michael. "The Best Possible Child." Journal of Medical Ethics 33.5 (2007): 279-283. Web. 1 Apr 2011. .
Despite all the testing and approval process of vaccines, many people still mistakenly believe that vaccines cause autism, even in light of research that has disproven the notion. This evidences the difficulty of dispelling false statements once someone has accepted a falsehood, especially if it has scientific research backing the results. It also highlights the gullibility of the public at large to believe anything that medical research reports without questioning the findings. Unfortunately, the media attention such examples of junk science receive aids in convincing many of its truthfulness. The hype surrounding the belief that vaccines cause autism began in 1998 when Andrew Wakefield in the UK published an article in the Lancet linking the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR...
Random House, Inc. (n.d.). "Wampanoag's." . Retrieved March 3, 2011, from Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc.: Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc.
"My child fell into autism directly after his 12 month MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine" (Stark). Her son Kieran was developing and acting like a normal child until his MMR vaccines (Stark). After the vaccines, Kieran developed a high fever, lethargic, and extreme diarrhea which eventually led him to be unresponsive, refuse to eat, and became mute (Stark). After 20 months of these symptoms, Kieran was diagnosed with autism (Stark). This parent is just one of millions that experience the same side effects of
Doctor Andrew Wakefield had written a paper in Lancet journal in 1998 which suggested that MMR vaccine causes autism. In his research, he found out that MMR vaccine was responsible for bowel inflammation that leads to the translocation of non-permeable peptides into the bloodstream. (American Academy of Pediatrics) This in turn carries them to the brain causing the root of autism spectrum disorder to form. His research was called weak by drug corporations, governments and media companies and was then discredited earning him a fraud reputation. His paper has since raised a decade long argument on MMR vaccine originating autism spectrum disorder. This has caused a lot of parents to withdraw their children from being vaccinated, which increased measles infections.