Andrew Wakefield, an anti-vaccination advocate and former physician, conducted a fraudulent study connecting the MMR vaccine, which provides immunity against Measles, Mumps and Rubella, to autism and other developmental disorders. According to an article that discusses the harmful nature of Wakefield’s study, it states that 12 children participated in the study. The original study claims that the children who participated were consecutively referred to the hospital, however Wakefield falsified that information. In fact, he specifically chose children with pre-existing developmental conditions. Wakefield’s paper was initially published in the Lancet, a reputable peer-reviewed journal, however it retracted the article due to the gross falsification and misinformation included in the study. His study followed the guidelines of a standard scientific research paper, and even explicitly stated the fact that there was no causal association between the MMR vaccine and Autism. However, he embedded vague wording and lofty claims throughout the paper, confusing readers to believe otherwise. In addition, his sample size was not large enough to support his claims. The language he used throughout his paper favored the anti-vaccination movement by using lofty, vague wording that promoted Wakefield’s motive of wanting to incite fear concerning vaccines. This shapes the study to be a gross misrepresentation of vaccines.
As a result of this study, a decline in parents electing for their children to receive the MMR vaccine has occurred. According to this journal article, the media perpetuated this fear, selecting fear mongering quotes from the Lancet article and expanding upon them without any scientific basis. This led to a rapid decline in the MMR vaccine, even resulting in the first measles death the U.K. had seen in a decade. A decline arose in the United States as well, resulting in measles outbreaks around the country. In addition, attention has been shifted away from autism research, further alienating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
This study was the main contributor to parents refusing vaccines for their children. As a result, it showcases the importance of scrutinized, peer-reviewed science, especially when it regards public health and safety. In addition, this occurrence showcases the responsibility that news media outlets possess. The Lancet ought to have opted not to publish this article because of the public health implications. This study reveals the public’s attraction to fear-mongering articles, even when they are not rooted in fact. In addition, this public health catastrophe marginalizes children with autism and families who raise them. As a person who has a family member on the spectrum, it remains incredibly frustrating to see misinformation spread concerning this developmental disorder. In addition, it suggests that autism is worse than measles or other life threatening illnesses, which invalidates and degrades people with spectrum disorders. Vaccines save lives and there is no thoroughly studied link between them and spectrum disorders. Therefore, this study represents the power and influence of scientific studies and their implications.
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